Football Varsity Letterman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Years

John Herrnstein graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1955. The Herrnstein name is synonymous with Chillicothe High School football. Herrnstein Field is named for his grandfather, William Herrnstein. His great-uncle Al Herrnstein played on the first CHS football team in 1898. His father William Herrnstein, Jr. also played football at CHS. John Herrnstein earned 10 Varsity letters during his high school career: 4 in Baseball, 3 in Football, 2 in Basketball and 1 in Track.

In football, John was a Varsity letterman for 3 years of high school. He was 1st Team All-Central Ohio League on offense and defense, the Most Valuable Player of the COL, a member of the All-Opponent Team in the COL, and an All-Ohio fullback. He was selected to play in the North-South All-Star Classic, and to the Wiseman National Prep All-American Football Team.

In basketball, he was a Varsity letterman in his sophomore, junior and senior years. He was 4th in scoring in the Central Ohio League in the 1954-55 season. He was selected to the 1st Team All-COL and Honorable Mention All-Ohio.

In baseball, he was a Varsity letterman all 4 years, an All-Ohio selection, and was selected to play in the inaugural East-West Ohio Classic All-Star game.

In early May of 1955, the CHS baseball team was eliminated early in the Sectional Tournament play, so John joined the Cavalier Track team. His first meet was the COL Track Championships at Newark HS. John was the Medalist of the meet with a total of 17 points. He won the 100 yard dash, the Broad Jump, and tied CHS teammate Phil Brown for 1st place in the High Jump.

Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and great-uncle Al Herrnstein who distinguished himself as an all-time great athlete at the University of Michigan, John enrolled at Michigan on a scholarship. As a senior, John captained the Michigan football team.

After college, John played professional baseball. He spent 4 1/2 years in the minor leagues and 3 1/2 years in the Major Leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and the Atlanta Braves. He was a member of the Phillies that played for the pennant on the final day of the 1964 season. John retired from professional baseball after the 1966 season.