Thanks to Mary Jo Geyer Burdett, a group of folks who swam at the Allegheny YMCA swim team got together this past weekend for a fun reunion. I am not much one for reunions, but I wanted to attend this one because many of these folks I have not seen in close to 60 years. At least 57 years. One of the reasons for my enthusiasm was that I spent a lot of time as a kid with a lot of these people and their families. The swim team at the Allegheny Y on the Northside of Pittsburgh and the community swim clubs in the North Hills of Pittsburgh were actually joined at the hip. You swam in the summer for the teams in the community swim clubs, and at the YMCA and that league in the winter, and it really was the lifeblood of all of our families. Swim practices and meets were the focal point of social relationships for many families at that time, and the anchor founder of that movement was Don Geyer- Mary Jo, Claudia, Joe, Jeff, and Don Jr’s father.

As we all gathered around in the Allegheny Y gym this weekend, we told countless stories about our fun times at the community swim clubs and at the Y, but most of the stories were focused around what Don Geyer had done for all of us. There were great stories about how he was a famous square dance caller, a coach and teacher at Shaler High School, but most of our stories centered around his work with us as young swimmers. He encouraged us and our families to come to the Allegheny Y after the summer swim season was over at the community pools. People like Don Geyer are legendary in their status. His selfless attitude and willingness to coach and help young people is a trait that few people are willing to commit to. Don did that and more and the stories were countless among people who came from all over the country for the reunion.

The Allegheny Y was a special place to me. I went there originally when I was about 7 or 8 years old with my grandfather who was a member. Then I started to swim there on the team coached by Don Geyer, Pat Phelan and Cliff Quigley. Those days were really my first entry into organized competition and swimming the breaststroke was my contribution to the team. Johnny Kane, Dru Duffy, the Roses, and I were the duckfooted breaststrokers, and it was so much fun to reconnect with John Kane at the reunion. It was also great to reconnect with Jimmy Manning, my childhood pal at Valley Brook. We swam together and it had been 57 years at least since I had last seen him.. He and his wife Sandra came up from South Carolina. The Kane girls were all there. Joan, Karen, and Debbie,and we had great laughs and remembrances about how special Valley Brook, The Y and Don Geyer were to all of us. Bill Ford came all the way from Eugene, Oregon because he wanted to see all of this and be with his pals from long ago. Colleen Trew Geyer was there along with Ray Burdett, who is married to Mary Jo Geyer. Ray and Colleen and I skied together for many years and they are still active in different athletic pursuits. I met some people that I did not know at the reunion but by the time we finished our meal at Max’s Allegheny Tavern, we felt as though we had been friends all along.

I must admit that when I went out to my car after the great tour of the Y, and the fellowship of my fellow swimmers after all these years, I was a little overwhelmed. I actually started to tear up a bit, because my memories came flooding back after all these years. I am not sure whether the emotion was because I was remembering a lot from my youth and now I realize that I am in the fourth quarter? Or, perhaps it was the joy of seeing all of those old friends who even after all these years, still seem close to me and a big part of my life? This was one reunion I was not going to miss, and I was so happy Mary Jo, Ray and Claudia put it all together.

The Allegheny YMCA is 100 years old this year and it was great to see the renovations that have made the building a recreational focal point on the North Side. The staff there was so welcoming to our group and were taken back a little bit when they heard all the old stories and how much the Y had meant to us. They also were touched by all the memories of Don Geyer, who they did not know obviously, but could appreciate the dedication of a life- long coach and teacher.

I remember Don teaching me to swim as a 5 year old at Valley Brook, and then, a little later on, at my mother’s instruction, throw me in the deep end so I could pass my swimming test. This was much to the chagrin of my mom’s friends but as she said, ” that water will get deeper and deeper every year.” To this day, I am glad my mother prevailed and glad that Don threw me into the deep end – in reality and metaphorically. His coaching will always be a part of my character- 58 years later. Thanks for reading.

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