April 10, 2013

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois coaching legend Maxwell "Mac" Garret died Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in Florida. He was 95 years old.

The funeral service will be Friday, April 12 at 1:45 pm at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel (5808 West Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, Fla.). Garret will be interred April 12 at 3 pm at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens (11520 State Road 7), Boynton Beach, FL). Maxwell (Mac) Garret, born Max Goldstein on April 18, 1917, was the eldest of three children of Russian born parents. He lived most of his early years in Manhattan (near Harlem) and later in East Bronx. He received his high school education at Townsend Harris High School, a preparatory school of City College of New York. Mac attend CCNY from 1934-39 and received a bachelor's degree in education with a major in physical education. At CCNY, he was a varsity fencer and was captain of the 1939 team. He was a candidate for the 1940 U.S. Olympic Foil team, however, World War II was in progress, and no Olympic competition too place. Garret was named the fencing coach at Illinois in 19040 and continued his graduate work until March 1942 when he received his master's degree. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force, graduating from Officers Candidate School in 1943 and serving four years in the military. Garret was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Captain.

Mac married Diana Rosen in 1943. They had four children: Roger (1944), Roberta (1945-84), Esther (1947) and Bruce (1951). All four children graduated from the University of Illinois.

Garret was fencing coach at Illinois from 1941-72, leading the Fighting Illini to NCAA team championships in 1956 and 1958, and to 17 Big Ten titles, ranking lower than second place in the Big Ten only once during his 28 years. He compiled an all-time record of 245-71-1 at Illinois, while coaching 28 All-Americans. Garret then coached Penn State from 1972-80. One of the principal organizers of fencing in the Midwest, he was co-found of the NFCAA (1941) and later served as president of the organization.

Although Garret "officially" retired in 1982, his contributions to the sport never ceased. He continued to serve as an internationally ranked fencing official and officiated frequently at major national and international tournaments as well as circuit events. The National Fencing Coaches Association Hall of Fame was instituted in 1963 as a result of an initiative by Garret.

After the War, the University of Illinois developed a nationally recognized wheelchair sports program. Dr. Tim Nugent, founder and director of the U of I rehabilitation program, encouraged Garret to develop the first U.S. fencing program for students with disabilities. He coached the first U.S. wheelchair fencing team that brought home medals from the Paralympics.

During his tenure at the University of Illinois, Garret was an Associate Professor, first in the department of Physical Education and later in Recreation and Park Administration. Mac developed the Garret Total Body Reaction Timer. This device was used in the Physical Education Research Lab for training purposes.

Garret also created innovative courses for the Recreation and Parks curriculum. For 14 years (1952-1966) he operated and directed a private summer day camp, Camp Illini, for children of families in the community. The camp served as a proving ground for Recreation and Parks majors. Garret also included children with physical disabilities in the camp program and always took pride in their accomplishments.

Long recognized as one of the country's top fencing coaches and as one of the leading internationally ranked fencing officials, Garret is recognized on the Roll of Honor by the U.S. Fencing Hall of Fame and is a member of the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame.

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES AND HONORS
Who's Who in World Jewry, 1955.
Elected to the Helms Hall of Fame for Fencing, 1956.
Who's Who of American Jewish Athletes, 1958.
Assistant U.S. Olympic Fencing Coach, Rome, Italy, 1960.
Fencing Coach of the Year, 1962 and 1965.
Service Award from the Athletic Institute 1969.
Director of the Academy for Fencing Teachers in Israel 1969-1970.
National Fencing Coach for the State of Israel 1969-1970.
Head Fencing Coach for Israel at World Championships, Ankara, Turkey, 1970.
U.S. Head Fencing Coach at World University Games, Torino, Italy, 1970.
U.S. Fencing Coach, Junior World Championships, South Bend, IN, 1971.
International Fencing Official, 9th Maccabiah Games in Israel 1973.
U.S. Fencing Coach and member of organizing committee for Andrei Spitzer Memorial (Under 19) Tournament in Israel, 1973.
Inducted into the City College of New York Athletic Hall of Fame, 1974.
U.S. Head Fencing Coach, Maccabiah Games in Israel, 1977 and 1981.
Member of U.S. Olympic Fencing Committee, 1982.
Member of the U.S. Fencing Association Board of Directors, 1982.
Manager of the U.S. National Sports Festival, Colorado Springs, CO, 1983.
Manager of the U.S. Fencing Team, Junior World Championships, Leningrad, Russia, 1984.
Founding member and three times President of the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association, 1950-1952, 1962-1963, and 1982-1984.
Former Editor of the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association Swordmaster magazine.
Internationally ranked fencing official at major national tournaments, circuit events, and Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida State Games.
As Emeritus Fencing Master, examined candidates for accreditation as Fencing Instructors, Prevosts, and Masters.
Chairman of U.S. Fencing Association Veteran Age Fencing Program,1982 - 1997.
Commissioner for Fencing, Florida Sunshine State Games, West Palm Beach, 1992.
Co-Chair Organizing Committee, U.S. National Championships, Ft Myers, FL, 1993.
Organizer and Chief of Mission, International Senior Age Tournament, England, 1994.
Advisor to the Florida International University Fencing Club, 1995-1997.
Hosted International Veteran Age Competition at St. Petersburg Beach, FL, 1995.
Chef de Mission for the U.S. Veteran Age Team, Kassel, Germany, 1996.
Organizing Committee, World Masters Games and Acting Captain, U.S. Veteran Age Team vs. Germany, Oregon, 1998.
Outstanding Achievement Award from USFCA, July 1998.