More Than a Coach

Dale Meddock took his position seriously. He saw his position as an athletic instructor and coach as an opportunity to guide young adults to be more than they might be otherwise. At the time, many of his pupils and athletes took issue with his attempts to mold their character, but looking back, I can see just how influential he was in my life as well as others around me. It always amazed me that he was able to create such a dynasty in gymnastics from relatively no background in the sport. But how can you go wrong in anything when you pour your whole heart and soul into it? We practiced gymnastics six days per week, but that's probably not the thing that made us different from the other high school gymnastics teams we faced. It was his high expectations of us that was the big difference. He knew what we were capable of and had a way of bringing it out in all of us. He also knew what we had to gain by excelling in gymnastics. I dare say there would be no way I'd have ever gotten to college had it not been for a full scholarship to Penn State. My dad had 11 children to support on an accountant's salary from J&L Steel. It just would not have been possible. I'd have been another out-of-work mill honk just like so many I grew up with had it not been for gymnastics. But aside from what it would later do for me, being on the Ambridge High School Gymnastics Team was a major status symbol for me at the time. At an age when teenagers are trying to figure out who they were, gymnastics gave me something I could hang my hat on. Everyone identifies who they are usually by what they're good at. Gymnastics provided that identity for me. I feel very fortunate that Dale Meddock decided to pursue a program in gymnastics at our school. It was a rare opportunity to be on a team that had such a big impact on gymnastics in the state of Pennsylvania. I believe my senior year, 1977, was the first time that the PIAA sanctioned an official state championship, and we were there to claim the trophy. Previously it was just understood that we were the best. Outside of Butler and Rochester, there weren't many schools that could even come close to us. Once we got past the side horse, the 2nd event, we were usually miles away from the competition. We even went to an invitational in Worthington, Ohio that included the best of PA and Ohio. When we walked in, I remember the other teams laughing at us and calling us shrimps. We were pretty much so compared to some of them. But, the next day at the team competition, we cleaned up - big time! Again, no one was even in our league. We took the team trophy as well as all six first place event trophies and most of the silver and bronze if I remember right. Dale was always ready to dispel his advice whether you wanted to hear it or not. We had a term for this - getting "Zebbed", which I think somehow meant "Zebediah, son of Hezekiah, here is the path I wish you to follow..." or something strange like that. I can't quite remember. I do remember everyone putting bits of chalk in his Pepsi whenever he left the gym. The bicarbonate of soda that chalk is made of probably saved his stomach lining if you think about it. Well, I'd just like to give Dale a big "THANKS!" for all you've done for me and the other athletes and students you've influenced during your career.