As Southfield High School closes the chapter on its sports history, one Blue Jay holds the record for earning the most varsity sports letters. Jamie Glinz, with 16 varsity letters, is the Ultimate Blue Jay.
Glinz graduated high school in 2000 with two letters in football, four in soccer, three in basketball, four in baseball and three in tennis. You could imagine how his locker looked. Glinz recalled his locker never being organized. It was always full of gym clothes and whatever sports uniform was in season.
Not to mention he was also the Homecoming King and a former sports editor of The Southfield Jay. He now teaches social studies at Southfield High School, so he never really left the nest except to attend college.
The first team Glinz joined was the soccer team, where he played goalie and multiple other positions. He was head of the defense and the leader of the soccer squad.
Though he excelled in multiple sports, the sports closest to his heart were baseball and basketball – two sports he currently coaches at Southfield High.
For the baseball team he was the pitcher. For the basketball team he was the center. It was nearly impossible to attend a boys sporting event at Southfield High between 1996 and 2000 and not see the lanky, blue-eyed athletic kid somewhere on the court, or the field, or the diamond. About the only high school sports he did not compete in were wrestling an golf because they conflicted with other seasons.
In some instances, Glinz had to compete in one sport then go compete in a different sport in the same day. He reflected on having a soccer game, then changing uniform right after in his mom’s car on the way to his football game. Glinz reminisced on how he pitched in a baseball game then went on to beat Southfield Lathrup in a tennis match.
Assistant Principal Vernon Burden, who also graduated from Southfield High School with Glinz, spoke highly of Glinz, saying, “Ever since I’ve known him, he’s always done everything. He would kick in the football game, then go to the soccer field. He would play on the basketball team then the next season be on the tennis court or the baseball diamond.”
Yet Glinz said he wasn’t always the confident, all-around athlete he is today. “I can remember coming into the first open gym during the summer time for (freshman) basketball. I walked in and literally walked right back out because there were so many kids,” Glinz recalled.
As time went on, he eventually found himself in a variety of sports and began to take each endeavor seriously.
He grew up in a sports family where his dad, Arthur Glinz played the role of getting them involved in sports. He coached him and his two older brothers Joe Glinz, Class of 1993, and Jason Glinz, Class of 1995 in both baseball and soccer.
The three brothers played little league where they had their first introduction to the sports world. Both of his older brother roamed the hallways of Southfield High so it was only right that he followed their path.
Unlike his two brothers, Glinz went on to play baseball for two years at the University of Detroit-Mercy before tearing his rotator cuff in his shoulder.
Part of the reason why Glinz is driven to do what he does today is because of his former Southfield High Baseball Coach named Hank Moulder. Glinz also stated that he made a promise to Moulder’s wife, Ronda Moulder, after he passed to live on his legacy.
Moulder was a Southfield High athlete who came back to teach social studies at Southfield High School and was the adviser of the student council, just like Glinz. Moulder, like Glinz, coached multiple sports and attended a lot of the school’s events, according to Glinz.
“He was my varsity baseball coach here. We built a relationship through sports. He actually drove me down to Notre Dame for a baseball camp, and he does exactly what I try to do now, just give every kid the opportunity to be successful,” Glinz said.
Football Coach and former athletic director Tim Conley said, “Coach Glinz really dedicates a lot of time here at Southfield and to the students of Southfield High. Also with him being a graduate from here makes it even more special.”
After dedicating nine years of coaching and teaching at Southfield high, Glinz said he’ll miss the Blue Jay legacy but is ready to embrace the Warrior pride that will take over the halls and playing field of his alma mater when it coverts to Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology after this year.
The ultimate Blue Jay said he wants the love of being in the school hallways to pass onto the new high school despite the change in name and mascot.
Glinz’s title as the ultimate Blue Jay will live on even if the Blue Jay mascot does not.
Whether Glinz is setting varsity letter records, coaching, mentoring, or just leading by example, Glinz said he will continue to contribute to the history of 24675 Lahser Road.