Personal

Judy and I lived on College & Viola Roads for 36 years before moving to Hartsdale in 1998. Our children, Suzanne, Jeannie, and Andy all graduated from RCC and Joseph took summer courses. We have 6 grandchildren living in Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.

Major Travel: Grand Canyon backpacking, 1985; U.S.A. Summer Olympics, 1984; six week U.S.A. camping trip 1979; Munich Summer Olympics, 1972

Hobbies: Volunteering, cooking, house restoration, travel and reading biographies.

PROFESSIONAL

RCC has changed a lot since I started teaching in 1960. Back then, we worked with what we had: a jailhouse was our office and locker room; the poorhouse barn was our gymnasium and theater. Co-educational physical education classes were a radical new concept then, and we were among the first. I coached soccer on a hilly tomato patch, hoping that we’d get to play the last quarter on the downhill slope. I coached men’s bowling, golf, wrestling and soccer, along with women’s basketball and volleyball. Our first Regional Championship was in men’s bowling. This outstanding group of athletes produced nine All-Americans, five in soccer and four in wrestling from 1960 - 1965.

"The Bubble," an air structure on the front parking lot enabled me to start a successful tennis program, with a record of 103-33-3. We had 4 undefeated seasons, 5 conference and 3 regional championships. Our players or teams have qualified and played in 8 National Tennis Tournaments in Florida and Arizona. The beginning of the tennis program led the way to introducing another emerging concept – lifetime sports, which became the basis for the structure of the new Fieldhouse, and the focus of our program ever since.

The construction of the Fieldhouse brought with it the need for a new curriculum. While on summer sabbatical during the years of 1973, 1981 and 1982, I developed surveys and made pilot studies. Out of the early studies came courses such as scuba, camping, backpacking, weight training and self-defense. In the eighties, with the help of the maintenance department, an old storage room was transformed into a functional College Fitness Center with office. This facility greatly enhanced the opportunity for fitness and wellness of our students, varsity teams, staff, senior program and Family Recreation Program members. Also during this time I designed the curriculum and developed student guides for contract learning and distance learning courses in Diet and Exercise, Aerobics, and Weight Training.

I believe my mission is to empower students to overcome fitness and wellness barriers, make healthier choices and modify their behavior. The Personal Fitness course which I designed teaches that it’s not just about sports and working out. Students participate in activities designed to develop life skills such as goal setting, time management, and financial planning. We encourage students to develop healthy lifelong habits by offering courses such as Aerobics, Pilates, Tai Chi, and Swimming. In addition, the needs of the community are met by the development of Family Recreation, the Summer Sports Academy, Kids’ College, and Arena Management, to make the maximum use of the facility.

Because I feel obliged to practice what I preach, I have tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle by working out, competing in marathons, bi- and triathlons, and in squash and racquetball tournaments. In 1995, I was proud to be a member of the Team USA in the ITU Duathlon World Championship, in Cancun, Mexico, and finished in 7th place in the age group 60-64.

The past 48 years have seen a great deal of growth in the College, and in our department’s efforts to promote healthier living in all our students and community. I am proud to have been a part of these efforts. New members of the Physical Education faculty are continuing the tradition of innovation by creating the Fitness Specialist Program, and a new program in Physical Education Studies. I am so excited about being a part of and teaching in these new programs that I may never retire!

Other Rockland Community College affiliations:

In addition to teaching and coaching, I have served on the College and Division RTP Committee, the Union Executive Committee, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and was the task force leader for Middle States accreditations in 1980-81. I have reviewed textbooks for Prentice Hall and have published articles for national journals, local papers and news - letters.

Community organizations:

Marine Corps League, Habitat for Humanity, The Rockland Sister Cities Project, STEPS to a Healthier New York, RCC Food Cupboard and USS Intrepid former crew member.

RCC Foundation:

Judy and I have also helped to start scholarship funds for RCC students:

• The Heinz Ahlmeyer, USMC Scholarship - Heinz was a Pearl River resident and Co-Captain of the 1963 wrestling team. The scholarship is in honor of his ultimate sacrifice for our country during the Vietnam War.
• The Jerry Donellan Veterans Scholarship - Jerry Donnellan is the Director of the Veterans’ Administration in Rockland County. The scholarship expresses our appreciation of his contributions to Rockland County veterans and the community as a whole.