John Cartwright (American football coach)
Encyclopedia
John B. Cartwright is a Baptist pastor who first achieved acclaim as a record-setting quarterback
at the U.S. Naval Academy
in 1960s. After a tour of duty in Vietnam
, he became head football coach at Lynchburg Baptist College (now called Liberty University
) while attending seminary at the school in Virginia
. He then left football to start a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
that he has pastored for over three decades.
as starting quarterback for the United States Naval Academy
as a sophomore in 1965. He led the Midshipmen
to some of their finest seasons including a 1967 season that including victories over Penn State, Syracuse
, and Army
. In the process, he broke 13 of Staubach's school records and set seven others of his own.
under Lee Royer
. But after Royer died in a plane crash, Cartwright was named the school's second ever head coach and he spent three seasons leading the Flames.
in 1977 shortly after graduating from Liberty Baptist Seminary. He remains the only senior pastor of the church after over 30 years. He also began Calvary International Christian School as a ministry of the church.
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
at the U.S. Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1960s. After a tour of duty in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, he became head football coach at Lynchburg Baptist College (now called Liberty University
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online...
) while attending seminary at the school in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. He then left football to start a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
that he has pastored for over three decades.
Playing career
Cartwright followed Roger StaubachRoger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and legendary Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979. Staubach was instrumental in developing the Cowboys into becoming one of the best teams of the 1970s and led the team to nine of the Cowboys'...
as starting quarterback for the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
as a sophomore in 1965. He led the Midshipmen
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
to some of their finest seasons including a 1967 season that including victories over Penn State, Syracuse
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
, and Army
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
. In the process, he broke 13 of Staubach's school records and set seven others of his own.
Coaching career
Cartwright spent one season in 1973 as an assistant coach at what is now called Liberty UniversityLiberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online...
under Lee Royer
Lee Royer
-External links:*...
. But after Royer died in a plane crash, Cartwright was named the school's second ever head coach and he spent three seasons leading the Flames.
Career at Baptist minister
Cartwright founded Calvary Independent Baptist Church in the Philadelphia community of Morton, PennsylvaniaMorton, Pennsylvania
Morton is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,715 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Morton is located at ....
in 1977 shortly after graduating from Liberty Baptist Seminary. He remains the only senior pastor of the church after over 30 years. He also began Calvary International Christian School as a ministry of the church.