MAHANOY CITY - Plans are under way to honor two retired Mahanoy Area basketball coaches by dedicating gymnasiums in their names and dedicating an outdoor basketball court in recognition of their winning records.
They are retired girls' basketball coach Joseph G. Alansky and retired boys' basketball coach Mark "Mickey" Holland, who during their long tenures racked up impressive winning records.
Joie L. Green, Ph.D., district superintendent, is spearheading the initiative with retired district Superintendent John M. Murtin and secretary to the superintendent Cindy Richmond.
Alansky was the Lady Bears coach for 19 years from 1984 to 2003, retiring with a record of 391 wins, 129 losses, which is a .752 winning percentage. Alansky was a teacher for 37 years from 1967 to 2004.
Holland retired this year after 33 years as Golden Bears coach with 614 wins and 243 losses, which is a .716 winning percentage. Holland also was a teacher for 36 years, retiring in 2007.
Green said the middle school gym was approved to be named in honor of Holland seven years ago, but there was no follow-through.
"It was approved at a school board meeting in 2007 to dedicate the middle school gym in honor of Coach Holland, but nothing was ever done with that dedication," Green said. "I talked with Mr. Murtin and Cindy Richmond and we decided to move forward since he is retiring from coaching and it would be appropriate to have a formal dedication. This is an appropriate time to do that for him."
Murtin has collected the data on Holland's coaching career at Mahanoy Area, which will be included on a bronze plaque.
"We are looking to get that bronze plaque put up there and putting another bronze plaque next to it naming the gym, and another plaque with his photo on it," Green said. "Once everything is ready, we'll have a dedication ceremony."
Green will make a request to the school board at the May 22 meeting to honor Alansky and his accomplishments
Green said there is a bronze plaque with Alansky's coaching and teaching history and a plaque with his photo in the middle school. She said if approved, those tributes to Alansky will be moved to the high school gym, and a bronze plaque naming the gym would have to be purchased.
The planned plaques will read "The Mickey Holland Gymnasium" and "The Joe Alansky Gymnasium."
There is one more project that Green hopes would happen that will honor both coaches and provide an improved outdoor basketball site at the school.
"The last plan that we have is to refurbish the court out in front here," Green said. "The students have been asking if we could do something. The court hasn't been updated in a long time. I'm not even sure how long. It would mean repaving it, appropriately lining it, new basketball hoops, poles, benches, shrubs. And if the board approves, it would be the 'Alansky-Holland Court' and get it painted at center court saying that."
Green said the plaques are expensive and she is looking for donations to help fund the project. She said the large plaque for Holland with his accomplishments is estimated at $1,400. The estimates on the other plaques have not be received.
"Anyone who donates to the project would be recognized in the printed programs for the dedication ceremonies," Green said.
Anyone interested in participating in the project and needs more information can call Green's office at 570-773-3443. Donations can be made by check payable to "Mahanoy Area General Fund" and should be mailed to: Dr. Joie Green, Mahanoy Area School District, c/o Basketball Projects, 1 Golden Bear Drive, Mahanoy City, PA 17948.
