Former Broncbuster Football Coach, Jim Duncan, dies at 87

By Mike Pilosof

Photo courtesy of Age Well CT

Jim Duncan, the fifth coach in Broncbuster football history, a man who to this day, left an indelible mark on his players, died last month at his home in Woodbury, CT. He was 87.

"I remember I was 12-years old and was working on the chain gang when Coach Duncan was there," said former Jayhawk Conference Commissioner Bryce Roderick, whose dad coached for Garden City back in 1947. "I know his players really respected him."

Duncan's influence extended far beyond the football field. He posted just a 9-22 record in three seasons, but really did more with less than any coach before or since. And he did so on multiple platforms, simultaneously serving as Head Track Coach.

"We didn't have that many players back then," said Delmar Quimby, who played offensive and defensive line for Duncan before serving in the United States Army in the same platoon as Elvis Pressley. "So, most of us played multiple positions. I never had to catch the ball, but we played everywhere."

Duncan's best season came in 1956 when the Broncbusters finished 4-6, which included three conference wins over Cowley, Butler and Parsons. In 1958, he coached two-time All-American running back Anthony Pontillo, who churned out a pair of 1,000-yard seasons while setting the original single-game mark with 350 yards on just 10 carries vs. Parsons.  

"What's crazy is that Coach wasn't that much older than any of us," Quimby explained with a chuckle. "But he was a hell of a lot smarter."

Before getting into coaching, Duncan was a star quarterback in high school and then for Ottawa University in Kansas. After graduation, he arrived in Garden City in 1956. But after only three seasons, he traded in his whistle for a job in the apparel industry, getting a gentle push from his mentor, his father, Howard.

"He was such a good man," Quimby added. "He was genuine, and I know his record doesn't show it, but he was a darn good coach; the best one I've ever played for."

Duncan became a major fixture during more than five decades in the apparel industry. At the same time, he perfected his negotiating skills, which helped him mediate union contracts for some of the biggest players in the business. Eventually, word got out, and it helped him land jobs with major retail chains like Sears and JC Penney. After he met his wife, Joan, they created their own apparel company called Joni James selling to major retailers across the country.

"I spoke to Jim just a few months ago," Quimby said. "He was still really sharp."

And fit. Duncan dedicated his life to staying in shape, and after local manufacturing began to dry up, he went back to school and became a personal trainer. At the same time, thanks to a nudge from a friend, Duncan began competing in track events all over the world, throwing the javelin, shot put and discus. He continued to do so even after major shoulder surgery and a knee replacement. And he also gave back, becoming a volunteer track coach for the girls' team at Nonnewaug High School.

"I want people to understand that Jim coached in an era where football was totally different," Roderick said. "There were more fights than anything. In fact, I think there were fights in every game. It's not the same game they play today."

Duncan is survived by his wife, Joan, his sister, Janet, and his children: Thomas Duncan, Michael Duncan, Susan Kusinitz and Nancy Goematt.