"This is the All-American end I'm starting up here," said Ron Kanaskie.
Danville Athletic Director Ron Kanaskie gives a tour of the lobby inside the Whitey McCloskey Center. This Saturday the school district is holding a special gym dedication for Ron hailed the "Lobby of Legends". Former wrestling state champions and All-Americans will be in attendance.
"We'll yeah! It sort of chokes me up a little bit. It's very special that my school administration under the leadership of Cheryl Latorre and our board of education thought this much of me
A mural of Ron and his 46 years of service will be unveiled on Saturday. Finishing touches are already being completed to former 3-time state champion Jim Martin high atop the Ironmen wrestling room.
"Looks awesome guys! I'm excited to see some of my former athletes that I've coached and some for a couple of decades that I haven't seen so it's good times! It's special times! I get chills thinking about it," added Ron.
Several years ago Ron retired after 42 years as the head wrestling coach here at Danville, but he is still going. He has two years left on his athletic director's contract and in the fall he will start his 12th year as the head golf coach.
"I love this school district. I love this town. This school gets the whole philosophy. This is a strong academic school district. It's a strong athletic school district. We provide more extra-curricular activities I believe than any neighboring schools, and we have a percentile of kids involved in interscholastic athletics is high. School spirit is high. I'm very proud of those things I just mentioned," said Ron Kanaskie.
Kanaskie with two team state titles is still second all-time in the state of Pennsylvania with 668 career coaching wins.