In Memoriam: Coach Gerry Slemmer (1952–2026)
Yesterday, the Wilson Football family lost one of the true cornerstones of the program. Dr. Gerald "Gerry" Slemmer (Class of 1970), an All-County tackle, Gurski-era captain, Big 33 selection, Arizona State Sun Devil, and the 6th Head Coach in Wilson Football history, passed away in Arizona at the age of 74.
Few men have ever meant more to the Wilson Bulldogs. Before he ever blew a whistle on the West Lawn sidelines, Gerry helped build the standard as a two-way lineman and co-captain (alongside Rick Fehling and John Yocum) on Coach John Gurski’s undefeated 1969 Tri-County Championship team (10–0), blocking on the offensive line beside his twin brother, All-County center Harold Slemmer. After playing in the Big 33 Classic and lettering on Frank Kush’s Top-20 Arizona State teams (1972–73), Gerry came home to Wilson to teach and coach under John Gurski, who would quickly become his mentor.
When Coach Gurski stepped down after the 1982 season, Gerry took over one of the toughest jobs in high school football: following a legend. Over the next 15 seasons (1983–1997), Coach Slemmer didn't just preserve the Wilson tradition - he elevated it!
- 129-42-0 Career Record (.754): Ranks 3rd in Wilson history (and 5th in Berks County history) in career wins.
- 15 Consecutive Winning Seasons: Keeping "The Streak" alive, from his 51–0 debut over Exeter in 1983 through 1997 (one of only four Berks coaches to go 10+ seasons without a losing record).
- 8 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 Championships (1985, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997).
- Part of the First 6 Undefeated Regular Seasons in School History: As a player (1967, 1969), assistant coach (1978, 1981), and Head Coach (1989, 1995).
- 1989 PIAA 4A State Runner-Up (14–1): Guided the Bulldogs through the "Miracle at McCaskey" and on past Cedar Cliff for the first District 3 Championship in program history, and then over Coatesville for the Eastern PA crown.
- 1990 District 3 4A Champions (12–2): Coached his son, All-State First Team LB and co-captain Jake Slemmer ('91), to back-to-back District 3 titles in the unforgettable 34–32 "Fog Bowl" triumph over Cumberland Valley.
Even after stepping off the sideline after the 1997 season to serve as Wilson High School Principal, Wilson Assistant Superintendent, and later Principal of Red Mountain High School in Mesa, AZ (2004–2014), Coach Slemmer’s heart never left Gurski Stadium. We will never forget October 2019 during the 75th Season of Wilson Football, when Coach Slemmer returned to West Lawn to present his longtime defensive coordinator Doug Dahms with the game ball for breaking the program head coaching wins record - and then teamed up with his brother Harold the very next day to coach "Slemmer Squad" to a 35–18 victory in the Alumni Flag Football Game.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the entire extended Slemmer family, as well as every student-athlete and his fellow coaches that knew him as "Coach Slemmer".
Rest easy, Coach. We'll miss you.
