Jack C. "Cactus Jack" Helmsing

Year Inducted: 1989
Nominated By: John Klomp
Sports Competed In: N/A
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Coach

High School:
Attended Kennard H.S., in Neb., then moved his senior year to College View H.S. in Lincoln, Neb.

Achievements:
High School:
● Played on the football team that went undefeated until last game.
● Played basketball and participated in State Tournament.

College:
Went to the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1951.

Related Activities:
Baseball pitcher for the United States Marine Corps (1948).

Coaching Career:
● Spent six season (1951-57) as the head coach for the football, basketball and baseball teams at Ovid, Colo H.S.
● Led the 1956 football squad to the state championship and also led the basketball and baseball teams to state runner-up finishes in the same year.
● Hired by Pueblo County H.S. as a football and baseball assistant coach in 1957.
● Took over the Hornets basketball program in 1957 and was the head coach for the next 13 years, until 1970.
● Led the basketball team to the 2A State Championship in 1960 and competed in two 3A State Tournaments (1963, 1967).
● Coached the 1970 All-State game.

Afilliations:
Became the Activities Director for Pueblo County H.S. in 1970 after he left the coaching ranks.

Achievements:
Had 12 letters of recommendation for entrance into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) Hall of Fame.

Quotes:
"It was not just the talented individuals with whom Jack excelled, he was able to get the very best out of every individual. He adopted a slogan 'One for all and all for one.' He taught his teams that life is full of many small defeats, but they must rise above them and eventually they would win in life”.
-- John Klomp

“I like John Klomp’s summation best. ‘If you could have only one friend in the whole world, that friend should be Jack Helmsing”
-- Dave Socier’s article in the Pueblo Chieftain dated Friday June 6, 1986.

Occupation:
Teacher, coach and Activities Director for School District #70

Personal:
Lived in Pueblo with his wife, Detta... Passed away on June 29, 1990.