John was one of sixteen members of the Spirit Lake High School graduating class of 1914. His high school annual called him the top athlete in the high school during his senior school year, 1913-1914. He took part in football, basketball and track. He later would become the most successful coach in the 20th century for the Spirit Lake Community School District, which lasted for 50 years. Coach Webb began his coaching career in 1923 coaching football, basketball and track. At the time of John’s induction into the IATC Hall of Fame he was only the third coach in Iowa history to be named to halls of fame for his three sports, football, basketball and track. Perhaps the legacy of John Webb was best represented in a letter from Gary Olsen following John’s death March 9, 1978. Part of the letter stated, “The name John Webb and Spirit Lake are one-in-the-same around coaching circles. You have all the experienced or read of the championship teams and state trips, but the thing that made John special was not the winning teams, but his winning spirit and work with the future of his community – her youth. To John every team was a winner, regardless of the w-n-loss record, and every player was an all-state selection. Each of you that attended Spirit lake High School were one of “John’s Kid’s”. He loved each and every one of you. He gave you, and the people of his community, more than just winning athletics – he gave his time, his love and a great deal of his labor.” The Spirit Lake Gym is named in his honor.
