Assistant Coach (vol) – Pole Vault
I have coached pole vaulting for boys and girls at SHHS since 2020. We have had some success, including two district qualifiers, one from each girls’ and boys’ teams, and one State qualifier, Noah Price, who also jumped his personal record at the State Meet in 2023. We have also seen boys and girls earn medals at the Delco Championships and Central League Championships.
Personal
I grew up on Mohawk Ave in Norwood and graduated from Interboro High School in 1970. After graduation, I earned an associate’s degree from St. Joseph’s University in the evening division while working days at the Philadelphia Electric Company. I played in the company touch football league for 15 years and the men’s softball league for 23 years. I also played golf, racketball, and tennis for many years. After 25 years, I ended my career in 1995 as a supervisor in the customer service department. I have worked many jobs, including construction, golf course maintenance, and painting contracting. My small painting company operated from 2006 to 2011, when I retired at 60.
Pole Vaulting
I set the pole vault record at Interboro at 13 feet 1 inch, breaking the IHS record of Vince Papale (of “Invinceable” fame) from 1964. I started pole vaulting at 12 in our backyard when my grandparents forgot a bamboo pole rolled up in an oriental carpet that they had gifted to my parents. My best friends (twin brothers) would jump over the creek behind the Glenolden Swim Club, where they conveniently, adjacently lived. I jumped the 8-foot barbed wire fence into the pool grounds on a dare when my record was only 8 feet 6 inches. That memory is pertinent as I am now the guy who constantly fusses over and pesters everyone on safety first at all times. I met Coach Venturini in 2019 as a physical therapy patient, and over those sessions, Coach invited me to give some pointers to the vaulters at Haven, as we had no vault coach. I have never looked back, and I have Coach V. to thank eternally for that opportunity. I thank the Athletic Department, coaches, parents, and student-athletes who gave me this great opportunity and experience.