Lions’ coaching duo call it a career
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By Matt Michelone
sports@altoonamirror.com
The last two seasons have brought a changing of the guard for the Altoona Area High School track and field program.
Last season, it was longtime coach Mike Adams stepping aside as the varsity boys head coach. Fast forward to today, and the junior high program is saying goodbye to two coaching staples with nearly 60 years of combined experienced.
Saturday morning, John Chesney and Sam Solomon were recognized ahead of the Altoona Middle School Championships at Mansion Park as both men have decided to retire.
Both men are currently registered as PIAA track and field officials.
Chesney is retiring after 33 seasons in the program going back to the former Keith and Roosevelt programs. His teams won 10 District 6 championships and multiple middle school championships.
There was one thing that Chesney said that kept bringing him back year after year.
"The kids," he replied. "I just enjoy being around them, watching them get better, watching them grow up. It's been fun."
He takes pride in playing a role in helping prepare his athletes for competing at the varsity level, which included state championships.
"I feel blessed to help build a program here at Altoona," he said. "We're the foundation. Just get the kids ready for that level. It's nice to see them come back as adults. So many former athletes are teachers, coaches, and it's enjoyable."
Chesney's experience goes beyond the track. He was also part of all three junior high school football coaching staffs at Altoona. He was also a boys basketball coach, helping lead the way to multiple Inter-County Conference League titles.
Chesney, along with his wife Amy, plan to do more traveling now, including visiting family who live out of the area.
"I've actually coached 84 seasons here at the district counting basketball and football," he said. "My wife's a teacher, she's also retiring. We have one son, he lives on the west coast, we're going to go see him."
Solomon is wrapping up 25 years of service to the Altoona track program. He started his career at Keith before it turned into the Altoona junior high program.
His girls teams won five eighth-grade team championships, and his combined teams have won four in a row and has a District 6 championship on his resume as well.
"For me, there's nothing better than when a kid sees success, and their face lights up," Solomon said. "It just happened a couple of weeks ago. I had a hurdler that PR'd in both events. She was so happy, so enthusiastic, and for me, that's what coaching is all about."
He also made his impact beyond the track, coaching eighth-grade football and junior high girls basketball.
Over the years, Solomon has shared how moments he has experienced with his athletes have become memories they will talk about for years to come.
"There are athletes that I coached 15 years ago, 20 years ago, that these are the memories they have of being in districts, being in the championship meet," he said. "Sports is a life-changing event for many people, and it's just nice for me to be a part of that."
While Sam plans to travel with his wife Deb -- who recently retired as the boys and girls swim coach at Hollidaysburg -- he says there is one other thing he hopes to spend his free time doing.
"I like to do home projects," he said. "I'll be busy doing those when my wife is not driving me all over the world traveling."
But there is one thing he will miss in the long run.
"It'll be the interactions with the kids," he said. "It's been wonderful.
"I think back at some of the teams I have in the past, some of the athletes I've had in the past, and there's just some great memories that I'll look back on for years and years to come."