Springfield College Alumnus Jeff Blatnick Dies
Posted October 24, 2012
Springfield College has learned that alumnus and Olympic wrestling gold medalist Jeff Blatnick has died today, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, after complications from heart surgery. Blatnick received a degree in physical education from Springfield College in 1979. He was inducted into the Springfield College Athletic of Hall of Fame in 1987, and received an honorary doctor of Humanics degree that same year.
“On behalf of the entire Springfield College community, I wish to offer our heartfelt sympathy and support to Jeff’s family,” said Richard B. Flynn, president of Springfield College. “We are deeply saddened to hear of his untimely passing. An Olympic wrestling gold medal winner, motivational speaker, cancer survivor, and devoted son, husband, and father, Jeff was a role model and an inspiration to so many people. Jeff is an important part of the history and legacy of Springfield College.”
Blatnick was an advocate for people of all ages to maximize their potential to be contributing members of society by developing their spirits, minds, and bodies and maintaining balance in their lives, which reflects the Springfield College mission. As the college’s commencement speaker in 2000, he said: “You can educate the mind. You can train the body. But, without spirit you have nothing, because spirit makes possible what is seemingly impossible.”
Flynn added: “The passing of Jeff Blatnick is a great loss to the Springfield College family and to all those whose lives he touched and inspired.”
