Irwin to receive community service award

Tom Irwin knows a lot about the value of teamwork.

Irwin, who is well known for his many years as head football coach at Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, will receive the 2012 Respected Citizen Award from the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission Feb. 25 at the Bavarian Hall.

The award is presented to an individual who motivates and inspires others through their vision, leadership, dedication, community service and work with youth throughout their lives.

Irwin is a worthy recipient, said Michael Hofer, commission executive director.

"When we looked at the applications we received, we looked at his and threw it to the top. The award is not based on all of the good things he did as a coach at Guilfoyle but the things he is still doing today and what he has done working with kids at places like Evergreen Manors," Hofer said. "He is still giving back to the community after all of these years."

Irwin, 69, an Altoona native and 1960 graduate of Altoona Catholic High School, said he is honored to receive the recognition.

"There are so many people behind the scenes working with the kids. I am just part of a team doing a lot of good things," Irwin said. "All I did was say 'yes' when I saw the possibilities. When you say 'yes,' one thing leads to another. It has been very enriching for me and my family."

Irwin said he always wanted to be a teacher. He graduated from Millersville State Teachers College in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education.

He got started in his teaching career while still in college, working at Cathedral Elementary School in 1965. He taught at Keith Junior High School from 1966 to 1967, then moved on to Bishop Guilfoyle from 1967 to 1974. From there, he taught at Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School from 1974 until he retired in 2004.

He served as head football coach at BG from 1967 through 1973, at Hollidaysburg from 1974 through 1977 and then returned to BG as coach until his retirement.

As a coach, he helped many young men, Hofer said.

"He has been able to touch so many lives over the years, molding young boys into young men. That is a very influential time in their lives, and to have someone like Coach to provide himself as a role model and to teach them the right way to go about their business is so important," Hofer said. "With Coach it was not always about winning, it was about sportsmanship, your family and the community you live in."

Over the years, Irwin has been involved with many organizations starting as a director at the 12th Ward Center for the recreation and park commission in 1966.

His retirement from teaching and coaching in 2004 at the urging of his wife, Lenora, enabled him to have even more time to devote to young people.

Irwin serves as president of the board of the Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation, an organization founded by Dr. Zane Gates, a childhood friend of Irwin's son Joey, and serves as a daily volunteer working with young children.

"They get so excited about what you are doing [to help them]. I get the same kind of satisfaction from them as I did coaching," Irwin said.

Irwin's volunteer efforts are important to the children, said Toni Bilik, the foundation's executive director.

"The greatest part of having Tom Irwin volunteer is he is so consistent and our children need that. He is always there and they can count on him and he believes in them," Bilik said. "With some of these kids, there is no one else in their lives, and he provides them with so much consistency. He is a person who shows up for them. That shows them they are important."

Irwin also is a member of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, a group that visits the Blair County Prison once a month.

"We try to help them with problems and provide counseling. We take care of a lot of logistical problems for inmates," Irwin said. "There are things we can do to prepare them for when they re-enter society. We try to make it an experience they can grow from. They are really appreciative of us coming."

Irwin admits he is busier since he retired.

"The freedom allows you to say yes to a lot of things. When you have a full-time job, you can't do this. I got to do other things you can't do if you coach football and teach full-time," Irwin said. "I am still teaching and still learning, but the playing field has changed."

Irwin doesn't enjoy being in the spotlight.

"I want to do a lot of good things, but the goal is to be insignificant, do what I am supposed to do without getting any notoriety for it," Irwin said. "There are a lot more people doing more than I am doing but they are not getting a reward for it."

Irwin said his wife has played a key role in all he has done.

"Lenora is such a good person. She lives life with a passion. She never does anything halfway; she is very thorough in everything she does. I credit her for a lot of my success," Irwin said.

Tickets for the Community Classic Dinner are $30 each. Former Penn State cornerback Adam Taliaferro will be the guest speaker. For tickets, call the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission at 949-2231 or visit www.cbrcparks.org.

Source: http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/556566.html

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