A 1958 gaduate of McCaskey High School and Franklin & Marshall College, Gordie Kraft played high school football and was on the swimming and track teams.
In 1957 he was a member of the McCaskey football team that won the Central Penn football championship. He also a member of the state championship 200 freestyle relay swim team.
For many years he was a assistant coach for the McCaskey football team. He coached the McCaskey track team from 1969 to 1997, compiling a record of 272-14, including 63 straight dual meet wins from 1980 to 1986. His boys teams won 19 Lancaster-Lebanon League section titles, 20 Lancaster-Lebanon League championships and 11 District 3 crowns. His boys teams had 19 undefeated seasons and finished second at the PIAA state championships five times.
He also coached the McCaskey girls track team from 1981 to 1997. Those teams complied a record of 104-68 and won two state PIAA track championships and four District 3 titles.