Kittanning Alum Contributes to Armstrong Weight Room
Freshman Linebacker Jacob Hiller, of Ford City, was one of several River Hawks lifting weights Thursday afternoon at the re-dedicated Myers Athletic Center at Armstrong Junior-Senior High.
by Jonathan Weaver
The Armstrong Junior-Senior High weight room is now named after one of Kittanning’s star athletes.
Senior High Principal James Rummel said he met with former Kittanning Wildcats athlete Matt Myers about a year ago after Myers showed interest in contributing to the program.
Turns out, Myers gave a “significant” contribution to the fitness room, Rummel said yesterday – which led to Room 108 being renamed the Myers Athletic Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony with School Superintendent Chris DeVivo, Business Manager Sam Kirk and School Board Representatives Dr. Paul Lobby, Linda Walker and Amy Lhote.
“We wanted to just show our appreciation to Mr. Myers and how important this is for our (students),” Rummel said. “It’s something that is used from 5:30AM until 6 in the evening.
“Mr. Myers’ contribution certainly enabled us to get the weight room opened up and get it started.”
After high school, Myers ended up playing for the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons in North Carolina.
Thursday afternoon, about two dozen junior varsity football players utilized the equipment.
Junior Special Teams Athlete James Cessna, of Kittanning, hopes to expand his role on the varsity football team in the fall, and he hopes work in the weight room will help him achieve his goals of receiving.
“You can’t just get out on the field and be a starter from pure talent – you have to put the work into it. Without the work, you’re not going to be as good of a player as the guy who’s put in all the work,” Cessna said. “(Weight lifting) really helps out with how much you get to play and how well you do on the field.
“You’re always competing for your job no matter what – and even if you are starting, you’re competing against the other team and the players at that position.”
Cessna has lifted after school for about four months and usually lifts an hour-and-a-half each day.
Cessna was spotted by Sophomore Center/Defensive End Jaybon Roundtree.
Roundtree said he makes sure Cessna doesn’t cut back on repetitions during the weight lifting, but encourages extra repetitions if possible.
Armstrong Assistant Coach Rick McKernan lauded Cessna and other athletes for their work ethic in the mornings and after school.
“It doesn’t stop – if you stop, the school you’re playing won’t stop,” Coach McKernan said. “If you’re not ready, they will be.”
Two-a-day football practices start in August, but team activities start in June.
Rummel said officials are constantly looking to upgrade weight room equipment, such as by purchasing a leg press through proceeds during a memorabilia auction.
Armstrong School District, Local Sports | jweaver April 1, 2016
By savvynewshound, April 1, 2016 @ 8:51 AM
Many thanks Matt!! It’s good to see people give back!
By Just sayin, April 5, 2016 @ 9:43 AM
Thank you, Mr. Myers—how generous and kind of you.
Now, why couldn’t the ASD allow Rosebud Mining to contribute the football field and name it after them?? I’m sure there are plenty of alumni from Kittanning Sr. High and Ford City Sr. High working there.
By bob, April 11, 2016 @ 8:18 AM
@ Just sayin,
I don’t want to come off as hostile, but are you aware that the “war on coal” is very negatively affecting Armstrong County? Many Rosebud employees have permanently lost jobs in the last several months. Former employees are losing medical benefits at the end of this month and don’t have a new job to go to. I think it would be in very poor taste for Rosebud to donate a football field while former employees lives are falling apart.