< PreviousMost research suggests that the popularity of tennis was at its peak in the U.S. during the 1970s. Players such as John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Jimmy Connors and Billie Jean King energized fans with both dominance on the court and personalities that demanded attention. Though there are many variables for ranking a nation’s interest in tennis, America generally falls around fifth behind Australia and several European countries in terms of tennis obsession. New variations of court games, however, such as Cardio Tennis and pickleball, have attracted new players who may have been intimidated by starting out playing in a standard match. Additionally, the strange phenomenon of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic appears to have benefitted tennis - or at least given it an “advantage.” As the shutdown took hold last spring and people were anxious to get out of their homes and do something, public tennis courts across the country were busier than they had been in years. Tennis provided an opportunity to participate and socialize while maintaining a social distance. According to a February press release from the United States Tennis Association, there was a 44% increase in new tennis players in this country from the end of 2019 to the end of 2020. The data was collected from sports participation surveys done by the Physical Activity Council. More than 21 million Americans reported playing tennis last year, with 2.96 million of them playing for the first time. Additionally, the 3.82 million Americans who returned to the sport represented a 40% increase over those returning to the sport in 2019. Entry-level racquet sales also went up by nearly 40%. Leah Friedman, the current USTA director of engagement, says tennis has seen a recent “jolt in popularity” and is now booming. Friedman, a former tennis player at both Taylor Allderdice High School and the University of Pittsburgh, hosts the USTA program Net Generation Live, a series of free virtual tennis classes targeted at youth that focuses on building athletic skills, character development, and tennis fundamentals with fun, heart- pumping games. Previous classes include tips and messages from top American players, including 2021 Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady. For novices and casual players, tennis is a fairly inexpensive sport. After the purchase of a racquet, balls and possibly court shoes, tennis can largely be played at no cost if the weather is dry and reasonably warm. In the Allegheny West Magazine readership area, there are numerous complexes with free, multiple outdoor courts (see our list on page 29). Certain courts, of course, may close due to COVID-19 restrictions. Those who wish to advance and play year-round have more limited resources in the west Pittsburgh suburbs and will pay for court time. Players can expect costs of at least $25 for one hour of playing time and $60 for two hours, depending on the time and day of the week. Fees for individual and private lessons are determined by tennis pros. For a more comprehensive list of area courts, clubs, leagues and resources, visit www.globaltennisnetwork.com. The site allows users to view courts within a 20- mile radius and contains information on whether courts are public, private, lighted, indoor or outdoor, and whether a fee is required. Start raising a racquet! Tennis makes a comeback Tennis may be experiencing an upswing, so to speak, in America BY JILL BORDO For one-touch quick links to any of the clinics and websites mentioned in this section, along with interactive maps to courts, download our free app, AWMag Events, at awmagazine.com. 40 • Allegheny West Magazine • April/May 2021Local clinics Tennis players in the airport corridor are still feeling the void left by the closure of the Western Area YMCA in Robinson Township. Though in need of renovations, the facility offered seven indoor courts and was the only option for year-round tennis in a 20-mile radius. After a severe storm in 2018 caused $650,000 in flood damage, the YMCA board of directors voted to close the facility. Mike Lucente, former director of tennis and sports at the YMCA, spearheaded a fundraising campaign for the YMCA two years prior to the flood. Roughly $150,000 was raised in about three months for repairs to the facility’s tennis courts. Though disappointed by the decision to close the YMCA, Lucente continued to be an advocate for the game. He is particularly committed to advancing the tennis skills of local youth under the age of 10. COVID-19 guidelines permitting, Lucente plans to run weekly youth clinics at Moon Park in the spring and summer. He holds a “red and orange ball” program on a half court with smaller groups of children to teach basic techniques in skill and control. As studies show that the “core” age group supporting the tennis industry is over the age of 50, Lucente believes that the future of the game lies with the youngest players. “Gaps in the popularity of tennis can be pinpointed to focusing on junior players,” said Lucente, explaining that coaches were putting all of their efforts into advancing one or two exceptional teen players with the hope that they would turn professional. In the meantime, less talented players were overlooked and their interest dwindled. Lucente, who is the current boys varsity tennis coach at Moon Area High School, stated that he and several other local tennis coaches have been working together in recent years rather than competing against each other. Their intent is to maintain player interest and build longevity in the game. Lucente’s second main focus is on Cardio Tennis, which is a growing phenomenon for people who are more interested in a high-intensity workout than improving their serve or backhand. Cardio tennis not only provides extreme physical exercise with fun games and music, it can also introduce beginners to the game without intimidation. Special balls bounce more slowly and allow participants to control shots and have fun as they learn technique. This summer, Lucente is planning to hold clinics for junior and senior high school players at the Moon Area High School courts. For more, call him at (412) 779-0230. One of the largest and most successful youth tennis clinics in the area is the McDonald Summer Tennis Program, which officially began in 2006 with the completion of the Heritage Park tennis and basketball complex. McDonald native Alice Thomassy initiated the program with the mission of keeping participation costs low enough so that any child who wanted to learn the game would have that opportunity. Scholarships were made available and racquets were occasionally purchased for kids who “had sustained interest,” said Thomassy. Based on a peak enrollment of 122 youth one year and several other statistics, Thomassy believes that the McDonald clinic was at one time one of the largest youth programs in the USTA middle states region. A USTA representative visited the class several times and provided junior racquets and other needed amenities. Six years ago, Thomassy turned management of the clinic over to Dave Hayden, former coach of the Baldwin- Whitehall varsity tennis teams and current coach of both the men’s and women’s teams at Westminster College. Hayden said that the clinic was down slightly in 2020 due to parental concerns about COVID-19, but he expects a good turnout this summer. Because there are only two courts for use, the McDonald program fills up quickly and has no room for expansion. Hayden has added spring and fall clinics for youth and adults who want more opportunities to play. The McDonald Tennis Program will start a five-week spring session on May 4 beginning at 4 p.m. for players aged 10 through adult. The nine-week summer session runs from June 15 to Aug. 12, beginning at 9:30 a.m. It will offer six different sessions for participants, ranging from 5 years of age to adult. Both the spring and summer clinics are held on Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, contact Dave Hayden at dahayden1@comcast.net or by calling (412) 735-6477. North Fayette Parks and Recreation is also hosting a youth program for ages 8 through 17 from May 1 through June 12. Visit www.north-fayette.com for more. April/May 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 41Equipment For tennis shoppers who prefer personalized customer service and the opportunity to see and feel merchandise, there is one brick and mortar retail store remaining in Pittsburgh that is uniquely dedicated to racquet sports. Tennis Village, located at 5419 Walnut Street in Shadyside, has been owned and operated by Debbie Rosen since it opened in 1976. Rosen held fast while other racquet sports stores around the area closed their doors. Rosen attributes the longevity of her establishment to the exceptional customer service of her staff, as well as to competitive prices, quick turnaround, and the practice of allowing customers to borrow racquets to try before making a purchase. In a 45-year period, Rosen said she and her employees have witnessed the transition from wooden and steel tennis racquets to the graphite models favored by current players. Material for tennis shoes has also progressed from classic canvas to the more supportive and durable options of rubber, mesh and synthetic leather. Perhaps the most important change to equipment, remarked Rosen, has been to the technology used in racquet strings. Tennis Village originally sold only natural gut and nylon variations, whereas current string options include natural gut, nylon, multifilament and polyester. Rosen said her store has seen an “explosion” in customers asking for polyester-based string, which is more durable and better for producing spin on the ball. She stated that the “excellent stringers” on her staff are more frequently asked for a lower string tension that is easier on a player’s arm. Another Pittsburgh tennis establishment founded in the mid-1970s is Gamma Sports. Located at 200 Waterfront Drive, Gamma is a manufacturing and distribution center for big box stores, schools, specialty tennis stores, e-commerce partners and international distributors. Individual customers, however, can order racquet sports products directly from their website at www.gammasports.com and have them shipped directly to them. Chuck Vietmeier is the director of product marketing with Gamma and has been with the company for 33 years. Prior to joining Gamma, Pickleball, one of the fastest growing sports in the country, has actually been in existence since 1965. The game was invented by two fathers who were trying to keep their bored children entertained during a vacation in Washington state. The summer home owned by one of the families contained an old badminton court but not enough racquets for the two families to use. So, the resourceful fathers used ping-pong paddles and a whiffle ball to create a completely new sport. The name is thought to have been taken from one of the founders’ dogs, Pickles, who liked to run off with the ball during games. Pickleball gained momentum in the Pacific northwest and a pickleball corporation was formed in 1972, mainly to assist interested players with purchasing equipment. A pickleball court is sized closer to badminton than tennis, with So, what is pickleball?! Vietmeier tested products and taught tennis at the home club of Gamma’s founder, Dr. Harry Ferrari. It was Ferrari’s creation of a superior synthetic racquet string that mimicked the characteristics of natural gut tennis string which became the catalyst for Gamma’s launch in 1974. It is Vietmeier’s opinion that the tennis industry the tennis industry started to become flat around 2000 as participation in the sport declined and young people became more interested in less competitive activities such as hiking, kayaking and gaming. Vietmeier also believes that the lack of new technology in tennis equipment has hurt the sport. Vietmeier stated that the new popularity of pickleball - particularly during the pandemic when people realized they could play on their driveways, has helped to reenergize racquet sports. Though pickleball has been around for over 50 years, said Vietmeier, “it has become the fastest growing sport in the U.S. over the last six years.” He stated that the explosive growth that began around 2015 caused Gamma to take notice and the company added pickleball supplies to its equipment inventory. measurements of 44 by 20 feet. The net height is 36 inches. Hard-surface paddles are slightly larger than those used in ping pong and the hard plastic ball with holes in it is similar to a whiffle ball. Basic rules of the game call for an underhand serve to the cross-court service zone, after which the ball must bounce once on each opponent’s side before it can be hit in the air or volleyed. Players may not stand in the “kitchen,” or zone close to the net, while volleying. Games are played to 11 and must be won by two points. Unlike tennis, points are only awarded to the serving team. While most often played as doubles, pickleball can also be a game for singles. Pickleball is a friendly, easy-to-learn game where players welcome newcomers and enjoy socialization together. Though it can offer a reasonable physical workout, it is much easier on the body than tennis. Equipment is fairly inexpensive, with basic paddle and ball sets starting at less than $50. Maureen Greco, a local retiree, organizes several pickleball groups in the area, including ones at the Sewickley YMCA and the North Fayette Recreation Center. The latter remains closed due to COVID-19 at the time of this writing but, before it closed, it did have set times for pickleball groups. Both of those facilities require a membership. Pickleball groups also play at Moon Park during the week (courts are located on the upper side near the batting cages) and at the Findlay Township Recreation Complex at Leopold Lake. The Landing on Ewing Road also has pickleball on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon. Donations are requested. For more, email Greco at fmgreco@msn.com. LEFT: Gear sold by Gamma Sports includes rackets with their own specially developed string, pickleball paddles and tape. BELOW: A woman plays a game of pickleball. 42 • Allegheny West Magazine • April/May 2021 Though tennis did not originate in England, it quickly surpassed croquet as a lawn game of choice during the proper times of the Victorian period. Lawn tennis was perceived as a virtuous game for both ladies and gentlemen and it spread to many of the British empire’s colonies. By the late 1800s, lawn tennis had become fashionable in America, but was primarily played in the wealthier areas of New York and several New England states. Tennis courts gradually evolved from grass surfaces to other materials, including clay, at the end of the 19th century. Hardwood followed and then, finally, “hard courts” made of asphalt or concrete. The catalyst that took tennis to the masses in the U.S. was the Great Depression of the 1930s. Public works projects were developed by the government to generate jobs. One such project was the construction of tennis courts in schools and public areas. The subsequent post-World War II prosperity in America saw the addition of many private tennis courts to the backyards of average citizens. Residents of small towns such as McDonald had access to tennis courts and began to play with regularity. Records show that the first tennis court in McDonald was likely a single clay court located where Heritage Public Library sits. Older town residents recall the court being there in the 1930s. However, there is speculation that the court was built shortly after the turn of the century. The large home at the corner of West Lincoln Avenue and 4th Street once contained the grounds for the court and served as the headquarters of the exclusive Harkaway Hunt Club from 1905 until 1914. One young man who played on this court was Harry Collins, a local resident who devoted his life to advocating for tennis in McDonald. Collins was instrumental in both the development of the town’s courts and the teaching of tennis fundamentals to hundreds of players in the area. Collins and former Fort Cherry High School tennis coach Frank Rohm often held tennis tournaments at the McDonald courts and Rohm was the first instructor for the McDonald Summer Tennis Program that began in 2006. Tennis enthusiasts in the town were also fortunate to be able to play on the private clay court at the Kenneweg residence on Fannie Street. Alice Thomassy, originator of McDonald’s current summer tennis program, lived next door to the Kenneweg house. At the age of 7, she began borrowing her mother’s racquet to play there. In the 1950s, two clay tennis courts were constructed at a park on the east side of McDonald where Oliverio Buick’s main parking lot is located. Not many years later, two asphalt courts were built at the west end park. It was a significant accomplishment for such a small town. McDonald resident and tennis fan Bill Berry remembers the importance of the town tennis courts to residents. He says they provided a place for teenagers from McDonald, Midway and Hickory to interact before the towns were incorporated into Fort Cherry School District. “In the fall of 1959, these towns became part of Fort Cherry and the merging was made much easier because of the McDonald tennis courts,” said Berry. “Kids from the schools could get together at the courts during summer and on weekends to learn tennis and meet people who would soon be classmates.” Berry added that because McDonald is situated on the border of two counties and is within a mile in each direction of four school districts, the tennis courts still serve as common ground for youth from different schools and areas. A bit of local tennis history April/May 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 43 This picture was taken during a tennis clinic that took place in McDonald’s East End Park in 1977. During the clinic, 200 children participated in lessons and tournaments. PHOTO SUBMITTEDFindlay Parks and Rec. All events take place at the Findlay Township Activity Center in Imperial, unless otherwise indicated. Call (724) 695-0500 to register or with questions. Yoga for Beginners and Beyond, Fridays, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $5/ class Senior Yoga and Qi Gong, Mondays (2 p.m.) and Thursdays (11:30 a.m.), Findlay Township Activity Center, FREE to seniors. Pickleball League, call Stephanie at the township office for more. Friday Morning Bingo, April 30, May 28, June 25, doors open 9 a.m., bingo starts 10 a.m., $10/packet, additional packets $5, refreshments provided, coverall jackpots $1, dabbers available for purchase. Food Truck Thursdays, last Thursdays, May 28: Gyros N’ At, BRGR, Kona Ice; June 24: Gyros N’ At and Totopo; July 29: Gyros N’ At, La Petite Tour De France, Kona Ice; Aug. 26: Gyros N’ At, Tocayo, Kona Ice; Sept. 30: Gyros N’ At and BRGR. Crochet for a Cause, Thursdays: April 29, May 20, June 10, 24, 6:30-8 p.m., create chemo caps and preemie caps for local hospitals. Outdoor Flea Markets, May 15, June 5, Aug. 28, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Clinton Park, $5/space, free to attend. Community Tire Collection Program, April 24, 9 a.m.-noon, Findlay Township Public Works (1058 Clinton Road), $3 each 18” off rim, $5 18” on rim, $5 over 18” off rim (SUV & light truck), $25 tractor trailer up to 22.5” (no rims accepted), $25 farm tractor rear up to 75 lbs., $40 farm tractor rear 75-150 lbs., $75 farm tractor rear over 150 lbs. On the Horizon Seniors are among those who have been given the highest priority in Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout. However, between the high demand and short supply of vaccine doses, many seniors found it difficult to secure a vaccination appointment during those early days of the rollout. For those who don’t use computers or drive, securing a vaccine proved to be near impossible. That includes many seniors residing at senior residences. Thanks to St. Clair Hospital, however, a number of area senior residences had vaccines brought right to them. St. Clair Hospital staff have been visiting residences over the past couple of months and, as a result, seniors who may have found it difficult to secure a vaccine on their own are now protected. Among the very first senior residences that St. Clair visited to hold a vaccine clinic was Goodwill Manor in Bridgeville. Hospital staff visited the residence Feb. 5 and administered shots of the Pfizer vaccine to 64 residents. Pamela Stein, the facility’s property manager, said that up until then very few of her residents had been able to receive a vaccine. She said those who had were fortunate to rely on family members to register them and get them to their appointments. Stein said that she had many people approaching her and asking how they could go about receiving a vaccine. She didn’t have an answer for them until St. Clair Hospital contacted her in January and offered to hold a clinic. Stein jumped at the opportunity. At that clinic, G. Alan Yeasted, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer emeritus at St. Clair Hospital, administered 64 doses of the vaccine. Yeasted said that two weeks after injection, the vaccine provides recipients with 75% effectiveness against the virus. He said that protection jumps to 98.5% effectiveness following the second dose. Those at the Feb. 5 clinic received their second dose Feb. 26. The vaccine shots are not only life saving, but also potentially life changing. Even though experts advise that people shouldn’t alter their behavior once they receive a vaccination, the shots do mark some light at the end of what has otherwise been a very long and dark tunnel. “Many of these people haven’t seen their children or grandchildren in a year now,” said Yeasted. “It’s going to make a great difference for these elderly people and their families. Hopefully this is going to help us get through this pandemic.” Among those who received the vaccine Feb. 5 was Linda Pratt. She said that she had initially been hesitant about getting the vaccine but ultimately decided to go through with it in order to protect those around her. She said she also misses her family members and is looking forward to being able to travel to see them again. Bob Crytzer, St. Clair Hospital’s manager of hospital communications, said that between the vaccines administered at the on-site clinics for senior residences and vaccines it has administered at the hospital, St. Clair has vaccinated more than 16,000 people. Stein said that the pandemic hasn’t been easy on her residents. She said that they had to close down social spaces and enforce mask wearing. However, she said some residents had at times tried to find ways around those precautions. The vaccinations, therefore, provide her residents with an added layer of protection, she said. Stein said the residence had been fortunate and, prior to the vaccination clinic, only experienced a single case of COVID-19. Visit stclair.org for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccinations. St. Clair brings live-saving vaccines to vulnerable seniors G. Alan Yeasted, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer emeritus at St. Clair Hospital, administers the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine to Linda Pratt at Goodwill Manor on Feb. 5. STORY AND PHOTO BY ALLEGHENY WEST MAGAZINE 44 • Allegheny West Magazine • April/May 2021; On the Horizon On the Horizon Our Advertisers Your community businesses are the reason for the publication of Allegheny West Magazine. Please support these businesses. Their support allows us to mail this magazine, free, into the households of Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, and portions of McDonald as a community service. Advanced Dentistry, p. 5, 412.788.6300, advanceddentistry412.com Allegheny County, p. 37, www.alleghenycounty.us American Renal Associates, p. 19, 412.331.2423, www.americanrenal.com Bill Few Associates, p. 29, 412.630.6041 Blessed Home, p. 10, blessedhomepgh.com Business Legal, p. 19, 724.693.0588, www.businesslegal.net Clearview FCU, p. 9, 800.926.0003, clearviewfcu.org Conti Law, p. 28, 724.784.0239, contilawpgh.com Csonka Heating and Cooling, p. 3, 724.926.3125 John Cucarese Financial Services, p. 5, www.simplifyretirement.com, 877.219.8549 Davey Tree, p. 5, 724.746.8852, www.davey.com DDS Web Design, p. 25, 412.965.0688, www.ddswebdesign.com DiSanti, Dr. Judy, DMD., p. 26, 412.264.6229, www.coraopolisdentist.com Ed Kandrack, p. 45, 412.262.4830 x 4150, ekandrack@pghsold.realestate Express Employment Professionals, p. 27 412.494.2000, expresspros.com EyeGotcha, p. 17, 412.331.9696, eyegotcha.net Findlay Township Parks and Rec., p. 37, 724.695.0500, www.findlaytwp.org Findlay Township Republican Comm., p. 24, 412.860.4331 First Steps Pediatrics, p. 32, 412.788.1999, www.fspkids.com Focus on Renewal, p. 14, www.forstorox.org/for-golf, 440.339.9630 GAMMA Sports, p. 43, www.gammasports.com Tom Gallant, p. 17 Genesis Church, p. 45, 724.512.5562, www.genesischurchlife.com Heritage Valley Medical Group, p. 6-7, bk. cover, 412.749.6934, www.heritagevalley.org Herrick Compassionate Funeral Service, p. 29, 724.695.7332 Imperial Tax, p. 3, 724.695.7354, www.imperialtaxandaccounting.com Jim Meyers and Son Plumbing, p. 11 412.787.7805, MeyersPlumbingPittsburgh.com. K. Morris Landscape Design, p. 13, 724.693.8663, www.kmorrislandscapedesign.com Ed Kandrack – Berkshire Hathaway, p. 45, 833.PGH.SOLD Kumon Math and Reading Center, p. 23, 412.790.6100, kumon.com/robinson-township L&K Bake Shop, p. 11, 412.225.1979, lkbundtshop@outlook.com Fred E. Liechti, Attorney, p. 45, 412.787.5280 McCracken Driving School p. 26, mccrackendrivingschool.com Tom Meyers Plumbing, p. 16, 724.693.2880, www.tommeyersplumbing.com Moody Funeral Home, p. 15, 724.695.0411 Jim Morosetti, p. 9 My Laundromat, p. 15, 724.227.0513 Oakdale Foot and Ankle, p. 15, 412.787.8380, www.oakdalepodiatrist.com Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, p. 23, 412.264.6270, www.paacc.com Play Academy, p. 32, 412.299.0616, www.play-academy.org Pustover Financial Services, p. 32, 724.695.8885, www.pustoverfinancial.com Robinston Township Christian School, p. 8, 412.787.5919, rtcs.org John G. Rohm, DMD, p. 31, 724.695.2100 SNPJ Lodge 106 Club, p. 25, 724.695.1411, www.snpjimperialpa.com Self Storage North Fayette, p. 27, 724.695.8875, SelfStorageNF.com St. Clair Hospital, p. Inside Front Cover, 412.942.4000, stclair.org Tennis Village, p. 41, 412.621.2399 Thomas-Little Funeral Svc., p. 32, 724.926.2800, www.thomas-littlefuneralservice.com Today’s Hair, p. 13, 724.695.0478 Toss That Junk, p. 21, 412.498.2632 Wade Heating and Cooling, p. 47 IBC West Allegheny School District, p. 33-36, 724.695.3422, www.westasd.org Zitelli Painting Services, p. 31, 412.498.2632 Marketplace Ads Spring Community Cleanup, April 24, 9 a.m.- noon, bags/gloves/vests provided, meet at activity center, community service hours available. Canvas Painting, May 1, 11 a.m., $5/canvas, have selection when registering, see page 37. Terrarium Building Event, May 12 (RSVP by April 29), 6:30 p.m., $7/person, see page 37. “Home Alone” Safety Class, May 16, 6:30 p.m., Findlay Township Municipal Building, police entrance, free, for children and parents, taught by officer Jamie Sacco, (724) 695- 1300 to register. Weird Eric, May 25, 6 p.m., ages 7+, $10/participant, see page 37. Cruisin’ in the Woodlands , May 28 (rain date June 4), 5-9 p.m. Clinton Park, see page 37. Fishing Derby, May 29, 7-11 a.m., Leopold Lake, ages 15 and under, prizes awarded for biggest fish by age group, free event, bring own rod and bait, adult supervision required for ages 9 and under. American Red Cross Babysitter Training, June 9, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., ages 11-15, $105 payable to Findlay Township, certificate awarded upon completion, registration required, call or email. Free Concerts in the Park, June 15, 7 p.m., Amphitheater in Clinton Park, Scott Blasey (lead singer of The Clarks, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m., Recreation and Sports Complex, West Hills Symphonic Band. North Fayette Summer Camps, check north-fayette.com. April/May 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 45STORIES BY ERMA DODD PHOTO SUBMITTED North Fayette police officer Sgt. Mike Hayes could tell that something wasn’t right. He had a pain in his stomach that wouldn’t go away. So, he saw his doctor and had a CT scan. Afterward, he called home and told his wife, Jennifer, to call their daughter, Courtney, 21, and son, Mike Jr., 16, and tell them to go see their grandparents, Judy and Chuck Hayes. Mike was coming home and wanted to talk. That was in October of 2020. The news was bad. Cancer had spread to his liver from somewhere in his GI tract. The doctor said he may have a few years to live. Chemotherapy was to begin immediately. Returning to work was doubtful. Mike, a member of the West Allegheny Class of 1990, married Jennifer Bell, his friend since third grade. After four years as a part-time police officer, he was finally where he hoped to be. He had become a North Fayette Township policeman. That was 26 years ago. Smiling, he recalls, “There wasn’t one traffic light in North Fayette.” In 2016, Hayes became a school resource officer at West Allegheny. Since then, Hayes has been working to ensure the safety of the students there. His police car sits out front. Ask any West Allegheny High School student about Sgt. Hayes, and they’ll tell you his caring heart draws them to him as a counselor, an educator and protector. His office is a place where they can go to talk. Mike has led many educational programs for students, including driver safety, which now includes instruction on the dangers of texting and driving. Automobile accidents remain the top overall killer of teens. A Survival 101 program he runs for teens about to get their driver’s license includes mock automobile crashes. He also runs programs on drug awareness. Mike works with one group of students called Students in Action who organize community-related campaigns. He also leads the school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions - or SADD - Club. Mike serves as vice president of the Pennsylvania Association of School Resource Officers, which represents school resource officers throughout the state. Since his diagnosis, Mike has been able to stay in touch with some of students. “I hear from kids, and I stop up at school to keep in touch,” he says. Mike also keeps in touch with Lt. Mike Hamm, who has taken over as West Allegheny’s SRO. Mike recalls one time when he was at the high school and receiving an achievement award. After the program, a senior girl came running up to him. She was crying and gave him a hug. “She and other students are asking me if I will be at their graduation ceremony,” he recalls. It was Mike’s plan to continue working beyond his eligible retirement date into 2022. He is 49. Now, his job has changed. His new job is to fight cancer. That involves chemotherapy, which he describes as “rough.” The good news is, it is prolonging his life. “I’m fighting the fight and taking it one day at a time,” he says. One of Mike’s fellow officers came up with an idea to help him. He shared the idea with North Fayette police chief Don Cokus and every officer came on board. The chief took the plan to North Fayette supervisors J.R. Mangan, James Morosetti and Robert Doddato. They approved it immediately. Cokus says, “Our board deserves a pat on the back for their decision.” The idea was that other officers would donate sick, personal and vacation days to Mike. That way, he’d have enough days to last him until he could retire. It’s safe to say, “Every officer deserves a pat on the back, too.” “Treatments have been ongoing and showing some positive signs,” Mike says. As for the doctor, Mike says, “I love the guy.” Mike asked Doc, “Do you think I may now have five years?” Doc’s answer was, “I don’t know. Only the Man upstairs knows.” Jennifer, too, has been fighting her own battle with cancer for years. Her cancer is leukemia, which affects her red blood cells. She’s a survivor and still undergoing treatment. She, too, works at West Allegheny. Their daughter, Courtney, will soon graduate from Chatham University with a degree in environmental science. Their son, Michael Jr., continues to work toward graduating high school. The police are planning an online auction and more fundraisers to support the Hayes family. Students, too, have rallied and made shirts with a caricature of their Sgt. Hayes. The caricature was created by West Allegheny art teacher Mike Short. The shirts speak volumes. Mike recalls attending a conference with students and hearing a bit of wisdom that has stuck with him. The speaker said, “See that door over there? That is the door where you entered the world.” Then, pointing to another door across the auditorium, he said, “See that door, that is the door where you will leave this world.” The point was, this little time frame you are in, during your school years, will do more to define the direction of your life than any other time. This is the time to make good decisions and get your education. This is the most important time in your life. It’s those nine words that stuck with Mike: “This is the most important time in your life.” Today is a gift Cards and well wishes for Sgt. Mike Hayes can be mailed to: North Fayette Police, 400 N. Branch Road, Oakdale, PA 15071. Shirts are available for $20 donation. Contact Lt. Hamm at the high school or police department. LEFT: West Allegheny High School art teacher Mike Short created this caricature of Sgt. Mike Hayes for a t-shirt fundraising drive at the high school. RIGHT: Hayes is pictured with his wife, Jennifer. 46 • Allegheny West Magazine • April/May 2021PITTSBURGH PA PERMIT NO. 5605 Hughey Publications, LLC P.O. Box 220 McDonald, PA 15057 Allegheny West MagazineNext >