Jack Eberhart

Jack Eberhart’s induction into the Crossmen Hall of Fame recognizes his decades of service, leadership, mentorship, and generosity to the corps as a volunteer, driver, Board member, Board President, financial supporter, and trusted advisor.

Jack’s association with the Crossmen began in 1988, when he volunteered to drive the kitchen truck for the final two weeks of the season. What began as a short-term act of service became a long and meaningful relationship with the corps. Jack continued to serve as a driver of various corps vehicles for parts of ten additional seasons, including as recently as 2012. His willingness to give his time on the road reflected the kind of dependable, behind-the-scenes commitment that keeps a drum corps moving from city to city, rehearsal site to show site, and season to season.

In 1989, Jack was appointed to the Crossmen Board of Directors, where his leadership and professional experience quickly became invaluable. One of his first major accomplishments was revising the corps’ by-laws, helping strengthen the organization’s governance and structure. In 1990, he was elected Vice President of the Board, and from 1991 through the fall of 1993, he served as Board President.

Jack’s tenure as Board President came during an important period in Crossmen history. Under his leadership, the Board was able to reduce the corps’ substantial debt and help create a more stable foundation for the organization. At the same time, the corps was experiencing some of its most successful seasons on the field to that point. Jack’s work helped provide the organizational support necessary for the members and staff to thrive competitively while the corps continued to address serious financial challenges behind the scenes.

After retiring as Dean of the College of Health Sciences at West Chester University, Jack began spending the winter months in Canyon Lake, Texas. Years later, the Crossmen would make their new home less than 20 miles away. That connection became an important and unexpected gift to the organization. When Jack reached out and introduced himself to Fred Morrison, it began what Fred would describe as one of the most fortuitous meetings of the corps’ early years in Texas.

From that point forward, Jack became a cherished mentor to Fred and a valuable source of guidance as the Crossmen settled into their new home. His long history with the corps, his board experience, his understanding of nonprofit leadership, and his steady perspective helped support the organization during a major transition. Jack represented a living connection between the corps’ Pennsylvania roots and its Texas future.

Across the years, Jack has served the Crossmen in nearly every way imaginable: as a volunteer driver, kitchen helper, souvenir helper, Board member, Board President, mentor, and financial supporter. His service has been practical, generous, and deeply meaningful. Whether behind the wheel, behind the table, behind the scenes, or offering wise counsel, Jack has helped keep the Crossmen on the road and moving forward.

Jack Eberhart’s legacy is one of quiet leadership and selfless commitment. He has never needed the spotlight to make an impact. Instead, he has given the corps what it needed most: time, experience, stability, generosity, and care.

For his decades of service as a volunteer and driver, his leadership on the Crossmen Board of Directors, his role in strengthening the corps’ financial and organizational foundation, his mentorship during the move to Texas, and his continued dedication to keeping the Crossmen strong, we proudly honor Jack Eberhart as a member of the Crossmen Hall of Fame Class of 2017.