Another Van Horn Legend will be honored at the school Open House this Saturday, when the new gymnasium will be named for former Van Horn High School coach, John Curry.
Coach Curry graduated from Seminole High School in 1963 and received his B.B.A. from McMurry University in 1967. While at Seminole High School, Curry was named first team all-district, was a four-year letterman while playing two sports, baseball and basketball. Curry’s success started very early in life playing third base on the AAA state semi-finalist baseball team and starting at the state AAA semi-finalist basketball team. At McMurry, he served as Co-Captain of the basketball team his senior year and earned the respect of his teammates when he was voted the prestigious “Bobby Chappell Award” for being the most inspirational player. Curry returned to Sul Ross in 1979 to earn his Masters’ degree in Education. Coach Curry began his distinguished career in Van Horn in 1967 as the head boys’ basketball coach and stayed with the school for 13 years. This is where the story of his influence and greatness began, with his teams racking up a multitude of honors including Class1A State Champions, Class 2AA State Semi-Finalists, 10 District Championships, 7 Bi-District Championships, 2 Area Championships, 1 Regional championship, 1 Semi-Finalist, and producing numerous All-District, District MVPs, All-Region and All-State players.
Curry was a public-school educator for 36 years, serving as a teacher, coach, director of athletics and principal. He was named the Permian Basin Coach of the Year in 1997 and was inducted into the Sul Ross State University Hall of Honor in 2007. He was a member of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and the Texas High School Coaches Association for many years. In 1999, Coach Curry received state-wide honors when he was named to be the head coach of the Texas High School Coaches Association North All-Star Basketball team.
John Curry was an outstanding citizen, coach, teacher, and role model during his time in Van Horn. He has been a major contributor to the rich history and traditions of the town. His remarkable work is admired and reflected in the 562 games won as a head coach in Van Horn, Levelland, Ozona, and Monahans schools. He is celebrated for saying that he has taken more from the kids he coached than he gave…all will disagree. He has been an inspiration spiritually and models what a Van Horn Eagle should strive to be. Coach Curry set the standard and taught the following…” Always do your best, always give all you have, and do not be satisfied.”
Coach Curry retired in 2004.
