First Posted: 4/18/2015
YATESVILLE — Pittston Area held the third dedication of a sporting venue of the school year this on Friday, April 17 with the dedication of the high school pool.
The Jon McHale Aquatic Center was named after the first swim coach at Pittston Area. Approximately 75 family, friends and school officials were on hand to celebrate.
“I cannot believe all these people are here to come out and honor Jon, this is wonderful,” Cathie McHale said, widow of Coach McHale. “I think my grandchildren will remember this forever. They even had the day off from school because their school said family comes first.”
A reception was held in the gymnasium prior to the pool dedication with refreshments served by Pittston Area cafeteria staff.
Some of Coach McHale’s former swimmers were on hand from his early days of coaching. A small nucleus of swimmers from “McHale’s Navy,” the name of both a 1960s television show and Jon McHale’s group of swimmers in his first year of coaching, was on hand and presented Cathie McHale with a bouquet of flowers.
A short program was held in the pool area emceed by former state Rep. Tom Tigue. Tigue mentioned Coach McHale’s dedication to the youth of Pittston Area and his love of sports.
“This is bringing back a lot of memories and it’s really reminding us that we need to be proud of him,” McHale’s son Shawn said. “I’d like to thank John (Pittston Area School Director Adonizio) and the other folks that helped John to make this happen. This brings up a lot of good emotions making us remember what a great guy he was and the impact he made on so many people’s lives.”
“I’m sure Jon is upset he is missing this party,” Cathie McHale said. “He was the life of the party and he would never have thought this would occur in his honor.”
