MICHAEL McKENNA

2003 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Michael, a long-time Red Cross volunteer, is recognized as one of the most outstanding water safety instructors in the New England region. Mike first became involved as a water safety instructor for the Providence Red Cross in 1971, while still a senior at East Providence High School. Since that time, he has spent thousands of hours serving the American Red Cross as an instructor in swimming, water safety, lifeguard training, first aid and CPR and has taught hundreds of people of all ages.

Mike served as the Pool Director at Rhode Island College from 1984 to 1989 and is the former Executive Director and Aquatic Director at the Boys and Girls Club of East Providence and at Camp Crosby in Bristol.  Since 1997, he has been the Aquatic Director at the Barrington Yacht Club, where he also serves as Launch Captain. Since 1990, he has also served as an instructor in the Department of Physical Education at Brown University.

Since 1974, Mike has also served on the staff of the National Aquatic School at Camp Tevya in Brookline, New Hampshire. He is a former instructor of water safety for the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy and East Providence Fire Department and was also Assistant Women’s Swimming Coach at Columbia University. An expert in all aspects of boating, Mike also serves as the Head Crew Coach at Roger Williams University.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to humanity in the fields of aquatics and lifesaving, the Awards Committee of the Commodore Longfellow Society has recently named Mike to the International Order of the Golden Whale, which is that organization’s highest honor. He joins Hall of Fame inductees Harold Anderson, Manny Rezendes and Carl Slader, along with Patricia Lund as the only Rhode Islanders to receive that honor.

Mike now lives in Warren with his wife Linda.