Ymca an Untold Story

“YMCA” Many people associate that phrase with the Village People whose rendition became synonymous with the disco craze and the ascension of aerobic exercise that was soon to become one of the YMCAs most influential programs. But, long before the Village People popularized the YMCA we have to go back over 166 years to 1844 when George Williams first started the Young Men’s Christian Association in London England. Originally started as a bible study group for young men seeking refuge from the harsh realities of city life {Picture Charles Dickens portrayal of a Christmas Carol and we have a pretty good description of how life was in merry old England before 1850.} From stories of how successful the newly formed YMCA had become Thomas Valentine Sullivan founded the first YMCA in Boston in 1850; later known as the Huntington YMCA. Though at first the Young Men’s Christian Association purpose was instruction in bible studies through the years had branched out to offer not only intellectual pursuits but became more focused on physical conditioning and in 1909 began a most ambitious attempt in teaching everyone how to swim.

 This is the period when my father began an lifelong association with the Y and consequently I too began a life long association with the YMCA some 40 years latter. What began as a daily experience going to the Irving Park YMCA grew into an athletic career culminating in being part of the University’s varsity wrestling team for my father. It was during the period of World War I that friendships were made at the Y that lasted a lifetime. One in particular was the respect and admiration that developed between my fathers boyhood friend Johnny Weissmuller. {Tarzan} Later when I became of age I too grew up being a “Y brat” who eventually passed all of the mandatory progressive swim programs that were developed through-out the years by the YMCA. The YMCA progressive swim programs were and still are the most successful of programs through-out the world. It is the YMCA that became one the most important and most significant part of the social structure of our society but more often became the only place where professional athletes gathered to hone their skills and conditioning that enabled them to partake in their respective sports. Through-out the 20th century the YMCA continually expanded into a multi facet organization. From Indian Guides, to Latch Key, {after school programs for our youth} to Youth Services {later to be come a division of the courts for troubled youth offenders} the many adult educational programs and all the other athletic activities that each Y offered. From those humble beginings in 1844 and 1850 both George Williams and Thomas Valentine Sullivan created what turned out to be a vast international organization that has monumental influence and importance for the youth and adults of every nation. My initial experience at the YMCA was through my fathers influence. Reluctant at first, like so many of our youth, my earliest recollection is about all the vain attempts that my father made to encourage me to learn how to swim. 40 years after my father and Johnny Weissmuller had enjoyed the comradery at the local Y in Irving Park it was my turn. This time it was not to be. Undaunted, my father persevered and I finally managed to pass every progressive swim level the Y offered. By the time of my Sophomore year in high school I became a certified lifeguard and for the next 35 years became the one profession the exemplified my YMCA career. From part time lifeguard assigments at the local Y to my first professional position as Associate Physical Director in Chicago following college a life long YMCA service followed. This position at the Y in Chicago at that time all the professional athletes from the Bulls, The Bears, The Black Hawks, The Cubs and the White Sox all came to the Y as part of their off season conditioning. Handball and squash were the premier sporting programs offered as well as the famous Dick Woit conditioning programs that every athlete at the time participated in. When racketball was introduce back in 1950 many of the YMCA’s adopted this new program but it wasn’t until the mid 70’s that Racquetball became one of the most successful programs and athletic sports that enabled many other sporting clubs to open. Eventually the popularity of Handball and squash faded and was replaced by racquetball and Kathy Sorensen’s aerobic work outs. In 1961 then President Kennedy launched the first Presidents Council On Health and Fitness. The YMCA not only adopted this format but expounded it and through-out the next two decades became  focused on educationing both the youth and adults the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Today the Y is again the focal point in educating our youth and adults the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. As for me, if it wasn’t for my fathers influence and the YMCA my life would have been void of all the personal and athletic achievements that occurred through-out my Y career. From a retired athlete’s perspective the Y experience enable me to excel and set numerous endurance records and individual achievements. From a career point of view the YMCA enable me to teach, coach and interact with people of all ages many of the activities that without the YMCA they would not have been able to experience and grow.