2022 Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame inductee: John Groves, friend of sport

QUINCY — A 1968 graduate of Quincy High School, John Groves has been a loyal supporter and contributor for more than 50 years.

Groves began helping his father, Jerry Groves, when he started the first formal “Chain Gang” for the QHS football team in 1960. John took over those duties from his father in 1982 and was recently recognized for 40 years of service on the chain gang. Jerry Groves also was the first to organize fan buses for out-of-town basketball games in 1962, and John also took on those duties when his dad was no longer able to do so.

After graduating from Culver-Stockton College in 1972, his work duties took him to the East Coast for nine years, but he wasted little time following his return to Quincy to find ways to assist the QHS athletic program and later the performing arts.

He has been the “waterboy” for the Marching Blue Devils, transporting water and refreshments for musicians and performers. In addition to his involvement in the marching band’s fundraiser, Octoberfest, Groves and his wife Linda served as concession chairmen for the Friends of Performing Arts Event since 2010.  

Groves is most widely known as the keeper of the torch for the Blue Devil mascot and has been part of the pre-game ceremony at basketball games since 2003. Groves trains each Blue Devil regarding safety procedures regarding the flaming pitchfork. Groves also has served as a two-time chairman of the Thanksgiving Tournament Committee and was formerly the chariman of the tournament hospitality room. Groves was co-chairman of the first-ever shootout in Quincy — the McDonald’s/Coca-Cola Shootout — and also served as a co-chair of the 1,500th victory celebration.

Groves was inducted into the Illinois  Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021.