George Angelo retires from JMCHS

Courtesy photo

+ Enlarge

George Angelo

SALT LAKE CITY — A 26-year career at Judge Memorial Catholic High School has reached the finish line as George Angelo, science and sports medicine department teacher, retires.

Angelo started his career at Judge in the fall of 1998, when during a ski trip he decided to visit the high school.

“I stopped in and met Principal Renee Genereaux and sat and had a wonderful talk about moving west and working at Judge,” Angelo recalled.

At the time, he had a summer job as a law enforcement officer and medic for Grand Teton National Park, so it made sense for him to move closer to Wyoming. Besides, he said, the opportunity at Judge “seemed like it would be a perfect fit.”

While at JMCHS, Angelo was a science teacher, activities director, vice principal, director of sports medicine and security and, at times, the school nurse.

“Judge has been a wonderful place to work. Over the years there have been so many wonderful colleagues to work alongside,” he said.

One of the many legacies that Angelo will be leaving is the crafting and implementation of the high school’s sports medicine program.

“From the start I was asked to help to develop a sports medicine program,” he said.

The process took several steps.

“First, it was a learning curve for the school to know what an athletic trainer does,” he said. The program began with one class, then began to grow, becoming affiliated with a team of doctors at the Utah Orthopedic Center.

“Simultaneously, I began to teach emergency response class to students in the athletic training program at the University of Utah,” he said, adding that students at Judge now can continue their education with the U’s master’s program.

One student, Jenny Zehner, graduated from the program but has returned to the facility as the full-time athletic trainer.

“She has helped to continue our state-of-the-art programs at Judge,” Angelo said. “Some of the prior graduate student trainers have gone on to colleges with national sports programs and even professional baseball. I am very proud of the work they have done for Judge and the growth opportunity here, and to have helped them develop into outstanding athletic trainers.”

Another project over the years “has been to help our school become a very safe environment,” Angelo said. “The support from administration and the faculty and staff has helped Judge become very current and up to date with the best possible practices for school safety.”

In addition, he has organized and trained the Safe School Team, which includes members of the administration, faculty and staff, who meet weekly to train and discuss safe school practices.  

The emergency management program includes a group of students who have received training from the American Red Cross and the National Ski Patrol Outdoor Emergency Care Program, he said. “They have worked alongside me during medical issues that arise and are an integral part of our emergency action plan at the school.”

In 2002 he trained 45 students to work at the Olympics venues for the American Red Cross of Salt Lake City.

He began to consider retirement in 2021, after he was diagnosed with chronic lymphotic leukemia.

“It brings a new perspective to your day and your plans,” he said.

He set himself the goal to “finish the job I wanted to do at Judge and then retire. I am thankful that this has been exactly as I had hoped,” said Angelo, whose cancer is now in remission.

His retirement plans include setting aside time to garden and to go fishing. In addition, he spent many years as a bear management specialist at the Grand Tetons, and on the search and rescue staff at Rocky Mountain National Park, so “I can see myself spending some time back again with the National Park Service as a volunteer,” he said. “Retirement isn’t the end of the road, but just a turn in the road.”

The 26 years at Judge “have been such a wonderful journey. Friendships and relations with this community always enrich one with a loving and caring day,” Angelo said, expressing his gratitude for all the support that he received during his time at the school and during his medical issues.

JMCHS Principal Patrick Lambert said Angelo was a gift to the school’s community for creating the nationally recognized sports medicine program and serving as the campus safety coordinator and, in the past, the soccer coach. “He has inspired thousands of students and been an incredible teammate throughout,” Lambert said.