2022 Inductee
What does a very successful businessman do after a 44 year in banking as a Bank Examiner, a Senior Vice President at Bankers Trust in Des Moines and an Executive Vice President at Farmers Trust and Savings Bank in Williamsburg do in retirement?
Well, if you are a recognized and respected, on all levels of Field and Track, as a first class Vertical Jumps official, like Drake graduate and Williamsburg resident, Jay Gruenwald, you take a seat on a bank’s Board of Directors and you stay active in our great sport.
As an official for over 30 years, the mentoring and encouragement from constituents like IATO Hall of Famer Al Neumann and Sarah Biscoglia, former Drake Relays Director Brian Brown and Mike Armstrong of Fayetteville, Arkansas, has been so important to Jay as he has climbed to the top of the proverbial ladder of success, as a High Jump official.
Jay has been a Drake Relays official since 1993 and has shared Head High Jump Official duties with Al or Sarah since 2000. He and Sarah have also been co-head High Jump officials at the state meet since 2000.
On the national level, Jay has been selected for the NCAA Indoor or Outdoor championships 17 times, 11 times as the Head High Jump Judge and has worked seven USATF Senior Indoor and Outdoor Championships on the vertical jumps crew, being named the High Jump Crew Chief for three.
Jay has been selected for the Drake Relays Wall of Honor, and an IATO Field Event Official of the Year and is a three time nominee for the USATF Horace Crow Outstanding Field Event Official of the Year award.
Jay and Debbie, his wife of 42 years live in Williamsburg and their daughter Emily, and her Tim reside in Oregon.