JOSEPH W. MENARD

1997 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Joseph Menard’s interest in swimming and diving ranges over a fifty years as a competitor, coach, and official. Joseph began swimming in 1947-48 when he entered the Pawtucket Boys’ Club annual swim carnivals, in the diving competition. He continued his swimming and diving career into high school although it unfortunately came to an end when injuries forced him from competition.

He joined the United States Paratroopers during the Korean War. After the war he went to college and became a teacher. In 1964, while teaching in the Pawtucket school system, he was appointed Head Swim Coach at his alma mater, Pawtucket West. While serving as coach, Joe was an active member of the (then) Coaches and Officials Association.

In 1 976, Joe received his doctorate in Education and was instrumental in founding the American Mathematical Association of Two-year Colleges. Joe’s professional accomplishments also include establishing the New England Mathematical Teacher’s Association for Two-year Colleges. He served as a Math Professor at the Community College of Rhode Island for 20 years. Joe is Past-President of the Rhode Island College Alumni Association and was named alumnus of the year

in 1 975.

 As a swimming official, his career spanned four decades. He has served as referee at all major Rhode Island meets, including the Rhode Island State Championships, the Rhode Island Girl’s State Championships, and Bay View Invitational, as well as the RI Special Olympics in 1 989 and 1 990. He was a past president of the Rhode Island Board of Approved Interscholastic Swimming Officials Association and was honored with the thirty years of service award from that organization.

In 1992, he received the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Award which is presented to an official “for his or her outstanding contributions to high school swimming.”

Joe was an active member of the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame from 1986 to 1996. He held various positions including President and served as publicity chairman for eight of the ten years.

In March of 1 997 he was presented the Joseph L. Tracey Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to R.I.  Interscholastic Swimming.