GODFREY
JANISSE
BUILDER
FOOTBALL
CLASS OF 2010
Godfrey Janisse has coached High School football in some capacity for over 50 years, winning several city championships. During a long and storied teaching career, he also coached baseball, basketball, and track and field.
Janisse was born on May 23, 1938 in Windsor.
An Assumption graduate, Janisse was a fine athlete in his youth who played football, baseball, and basketball.
For 35 years in total, Janisse was the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach for W. F. Herman (1961-79), Walkerville (’79-80), and Vincent Massey (’80-95) Secondary Schools. During this remarkable career, Janisse’s teams won six titles while reaching the local championship game 14 times.
Janisse retired from teaching in 1995, but he continued to volunteer as Defensive Coordinator at Herman. At the time of his induction, 15 years later, he continued to serve in this role.
Outside of the school system, Janisse coached the AKO Fratmen for 10 seasons, eight as an assistant, and two as a head coach. He also spent three years between 1988 and ’90 as an assistant at the University of Windsor.
Many of Janisse’s former players and assistant coaches have gone on to successful careers of their own, most notably including the Stanford and National Football League player O.J. Atogwe. Andy Parici won the Hec Crighton Trophy, awarded to the best football player in Canadian Interuniversity Sport, at the University of Windsor. Mike Shoemaker, who played for Guelph, was named All-Canadian. Dan Lumley (University of Kentucky) and Chris Rwabukamba (Duke and the Canadian Football League) were also standouts. Harry Lumley, Dan’s father, developed into a legendary coach in his own right. He currently works with Janisse as Head Coach at Herman.
Away from football, Janisse also coached with Father Cullen and Bob Marchand in the Mic Mac and Windsor Select baseball programs for 25 years. He won several provincial and national championships and coached the future Major Leaguers Joe Siddall and Stubby Clapp. During his teaching career, Janisse also coached track and basketball.