John, son of Tom and Ginamay Medak, was born in Tacoma and raised in University Place. He graduated from Curtis in 1974 where he lettered in basketball and track. John attended WSU, graduating in 1978 with a degree in Social Studies. He later obtained a Masters in Education from Grand Canyon University. During his first year in education, John married Cindy, his wife of 44 years. They have two children, Emily and Sam. Emily has Angelman’s Syndrome, but faces
the world with a positive attitude and loving spirit that is a delight to everyone who knows her. Sam grew up playing basketball, finishing his career at Gig Harbor with his dad as one of his coaches. He is currently a program manager for a company that provides in-home services for adults with disabilities.
Coach Medak’s first teaching and coaching job was at Washington High School, where he assisted Hall of Fame coach Bob Ross in the basketball program as well as assisting in football and track. After four years at Washington, Coach Medak was hired as the head coach at Steilacoom High School, where he worked with Hall of Fame assistant coach Bruce Hayes. The 1984 Sentinels won the Class A State Championship. He was selected WIBCA Coach of the Year for the Class A level. Coach Medak spent the next two seasons as an assistant coach at Pacific Lutheran University and the following 2 years as head coach at Kentwood High School.
In 1988 he was hired to be an assistant at Gig Harbor High School for Hall of Fame coach Lyle McIntosh. He spent the remainder of his teaching and coaching career at Gig Harbor. He retired from coaching in 2016 and the classroom in 2018. At Gig Harbor he served as C team coach, JV coach, and varsity assistant. During this time Gig Harbor appeared in the state tournament 10 times, with the 1996 team winning the state championship.
Coach Medak would like to thank his family for the innumerable sacrifices that allowed him to do something he loved, and he’s tremendously grateful for their support. Additionally, there is a long list of outstanding coaches and student athletes that Coach Medak was privileged to work with during his 36 years in coaching. He’s grateful for the contributions they have made to both his life and that of his family’s.
