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Gary Griffin, PMA Class of '62  - Faculty/Coach 1966-68
 (Story provided by Steve Custen, PMA '63)

Gary Griffin named coach of the year

By Ben Guzalak / Staff Writer
WEEDSPORT - Gary Griffin's illustrious career as the coach of Weedsport's varsity swim team has been capped with an illustrious award.

Griffin, who won almost 400 meets over 35 years before retiring after last season, was named the Region 1 swimming coach of the year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA).

Region 1 includes the areas of New York, New Jersey, and the New England states.

Griffin was also one of seven finalists for the national NHSACA award, which was won by Ken Disher from Minot High School in Minot, N.D.

"Weedsport has had a tremendous swim program over the years, and it all stems from the guy at the top," said Weedsport High athletic director Cal Mosher.

"I think it's a tremendous honor for him. It's very fitting that he receives the award in the year that he retires."

Under Griffin's guidance, the Warriors won 25 Section III, Class B titles and 21 Finger Lakes League championships.

He coached close to two dozen All-Americans over a career that began back in the mid 1960s at Peekskill Military Academy.

Griffin found out about the award after being contacted by a New York state representative of NHSACA.

He said it's probably not a coincidence that he won the award in his final season.

"I think it has something to do with being a career award," Griffin said. "They (NHSACA) ask you to put down your win-loss record and things like that. Anybody I've known that's been nominated for this has been near or at the end of their career."

The NHSACA was founded in 1965 by high school coaches as a means to educate, recognize and support coaches across the country.

While it will certainly be an adjustment to not be coaching this winter for the first time in over a third of a century, Griffin does not regret his decision to walk away.

"I coached some this summer, but there's some time time you've got to get out," Griffin said. "I've been doing it for a long time. I'm going to miss the coaching and practices, but not the long road trips."

No successor to Griffin has been named yet.  (Story provided by Steve Custen, PMA '63)
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Tony McGeorge, PMA  from the PMA Class of 1966 has been named President of Valley Forge
Military Academy and Junior College.

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Updated/Edited   01/15/2006

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