…whose dramatics in basketball and track and field captured the interest of Axemen supporters.
Jack Garnett, a member of the graduating Class of 1957, was a versatile athlete who starred in basketball and track and field, while performing capably in both soccer and swimming.
In soccer, the Saint John native joined Bob Douglas’ varsity squad of ’56-57 performing well for a team that bowed to the strong St.F.X. and King’s College teams. In swimming, he was part of the Axemen’s team that ended UNB’s eight year reign as the tri-province champs.
It was, however, in track and field and basketball that he became so very well known.
Being a member of Fred Kelly’s track and field team for three seasons, Jack gained prominence during his senior year as he and his teammates won the Maritime Crown at a meet held at UNB. Jack, on that day of October 26, 1956, established a tri-province record in the high jump. His mark of five feet ten and one-quarter inches surpassed the achievement of the legendary “Tink” Kyte.
In the hoop game, the New Brunswick-born athlete was a very gifted performer on Bob Douglas-coached teams that included the likes of the late Claude MacLaughlan, “Bunty” Forde, Jim Logue, Jack Clark and Halifax’s Bob Douglas.
During his rookie season of ’53-54, Jack displayed signs of his offensive skills, enjoying good production in games against the powerful St. F .X. team.
During his sophomore season, Jack Garnett combined with MacLachlan and Douglas to provide the Axemen with a 14-4 record as they finished second in the Nova Scotia Intercollegiate League. Naturally enough, St. F.X. with their storied Frank Korbut and Julien Richards, finished atop the league’s standings.
The ’55-56 season again saw Garnett, Douglas and MacLachlan record impressive offensive numbers. Again, however, despite a semi-final victory over SMU, the Axemen bowed to the perennial champs St. F.X. who were inspired by the heroics of “Packy” MacFarland. In 53-40 and 41-35 losses to the Antigonish-based school, critics were kind in their approval of Garnett and associates.
In 1956-57, his senior year, Jack racked up impressive figures of 25 and 33 points in playoff victories over SMU .In the league’s finals, however, the likes of Ed Hilton and Bob Moran proved again their court superiority as St. F .X. defeated the Axemen to win their eleventh successive title.
