John H. Scolinos

Devoted husband, loving father, professor emeritus and legendary baseball coach, John Harry Scolinos passed away peacefully in Claremont, CA November 7, 2009. He was 91. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Helen, his devoted daughter Violet, granddaughter Sophie, and a large extended family. John loved his family deeply; he was a treasure to each and every one of them. John was born in Los Angeles to Harry and Violet Scolinos, Greek Immigrants. His three older brothers, Frank, Maneas, Peter and younger sister Mary, have all predeceased him. John graduated from Manual Arts High School in 1937. He had offers to play football in college, but his love for baseball won out and he played semipro baseball until serving in the U.S. Army Air Force. He is a decorated WWII Veteran. After the war, John earned his bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University and earned his Masters degree from USC. John married the love of his life, Helen Veneris, in 1950. They have one child, Violet. John’s coaching career began in 1946 at Pepperdine University where he was head baseball coach for 14 years, including four years as head football coach (1955-1959). From 1961-1991, John was the head baseball coach for Cal Poly University - Pomona. Coach Scolinos led Cal Poly to three National Championships (1976, 1980 and 1983) and six CCAA crowns (1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985 and 1988), retiring in 1991 as the winningest coach in Division II history. He was a three-time NCAA Division II Coach of the Year and College Baseball Newspaper's "Coach of the Decade" for the 1970’s. He was selected pitching coach for the 1984 U.S. Olympic Baseball team and inducted into three Hall of Fame’s: Cal Poly, Pepperdine, and the American Association of Collegiate Baseball Coaches. He was selected the NCAA Division II Coach of the Century. John received the Lefty Gomez Award for his “outstanding contributions and distinguished service to college baseball” and was also selected Cal Poly’s Professor of the Year in 1976, an award seldom given to coaches. In all of his achievements, what set John apart the most was his deep love for God. A humble God-fearing man, John expressed his faith through investing in people. He is best remembered for the loving support, sound advice and constant encouragement that he provided to all who knew him. He was unselfish with everything that he had – giving away his material possessions to those in need and a devoted friend to people from all walks of life. The positive impact that he made in the lives of others is John Scolinos’ greatest legacy. In Lieu of Flowers, please make donations to the John Scolinos Recovery Trust Fund, 102 N. Yale, Claremont, CA 91711 (909-624-9091). Services will be held Monday, November 16, 2009, 10:00 a.m. at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA 90006. A Celebration of Coach Scolinos’ life will be held afterward in Arcadia. (Maps will be handed out). Viewing: Sunday, November 15th 4:00-8:00 pm, Douglass and Zook Chapel of Remembrance Funeral Home, Monrovia, (626-358-3244). Graveside: Tuesday, November 17th, 11:00 AM, Rose Hills Cemetery, Whittier.