Hall of Fame

Arthur Jessup HOF 2005 Headshot

Arthur Jessup

  • Class
    2005
  • Induction
    2005
  • Sport(s)
    Coach, Cross Country, Boys Soccer, Track & Field, Boys Basketball

Mr. Arthur R. Jessup had one of the most successful high school coaching careers in New York State. Over a span of 33 years (1965-98), he coached track & field, cross country, basketball and soccer at Washingtonville High School in Section IX.

Despite starting his career as a soccer coach, Jessup traded in his soccer cleats to be Washingtonville’s cross country coach every fall since then. In cross country, he compiled 255 boys victories, which still ranks among the top ten in the state and captured 12 Section IX championships. His impressive cross country coaching career was highlighted by a NYSPHSAA Championship in 1987 and finishing Runner-up in 1984 and 1986.

As a track & field coach, Jessup experienced great success on both the national and state levels. Throughout the years he coached several athletes who participated in the National Track & Field Championships and he coached student-athletes who became National Champions in 1986 and 1972. In 1972, he coached Chuck Fory to the 1500m National Championship and in 1986, coached the 4 x 800m Relay National Championship team, dubbed as the "Best American Team" in the 4 x 800m Relay.

At the state level, Jessup coached the same Relay National Champions to a NYSPHSAA State title in 1986, and also coached the NYSPHSAA High Jump Champion, Benn Fields, in 1972 and the NYSPHSAA Pole Vault Champion, Lyndsey Rosales.

Born in Goshen, NY, Jessup earned a Bachelors degree from Cortland State and also attended graduate school at SUNY New Paltz and Syracuse Summer Institute. He retired in 1998.