A True Sportsman
This is the second in a series of articles profiling the 2018 inductees into the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame
BUTLER TWP — Jordan McElhaney remembers her father well.
So well, in fact, that she emulates his coaching techniques when she coaches her summer club swimming team in Maryland.
“Dad used to coach my sister and I in swimming at the Butler Y,” McElhaney said. “He allowed us to fail so we could learn from it. And he was always positive with his coaching methods, very supportive.”
Jim McElhaney, who died in 2014, will be inducted into the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame Dec. 21.
He was inducted into the now Butler County Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Grove Cityy College Hall of Fame in 2008.
His daughter Jordan, 25, who swam for Westminster College, will accept the induction on his behalf.
“What I admire most about him is the way he balanced everything,” Jordan said. “He was a standout three-sport athlete, yet did great in the classroom as well.
“He was a team player, always friendly and demonstrated sportsmanship. He taught all of those things to us.”
A 1982 Butler graduate, Jim McElhaney excelled in track and field. He set Golden Tornado records in the shot put at 59 feet and the discus at 173 feet, 3 inches.
McElhaney was a WPIAL champion in the discus and placed third at the PIAA meet in 1981. He placed second in the state in the shot put his senior year, but a broken foot prevented him from competing in the discus at his final PIAA meet.
In football, McElhaney was a first team all-conference tight end and second team defensive end. He also lettered in swimming in high school.
McElhaney accepted an appointment to the Air Force Academy to play football, but his foot injury forced him to withdraw. He wound up playing football and competing in track and field at Grove City College.
“His accomplishments in athletics and in the classroom were stellar,” his wife, Jacki, said. “He was such an example for our kids.
“Our girls became competitive swimmers because of him. I know they got their competitive fire from Jim.”
McElhaney's other daughter, Jillian, 20, swims at Washington & Jefferson.
McElhaney became the first Grove City track and field athlete to earn multiple NCAA All-American citations. He was a five-time All-American in the shot put, javelin and discus, was Presidents' Athletic Conference Most Valuable Track and Field athlete in 1985 and 1986, and was PAC champion in three events.
He set GCC records in the shot put (53-6), discus (177-7.75) and javelin (220 feet).
A major knee injury ended his football career after two seasons. McElhaney was a defensive end for GCC. He earned Dean's List and Presidential Scholar recognition in college as well.
“He was always volunteering to coach us in swimming,” Jordan said. “Now I use the stopwatch he used when he was coaching. He gave it to me.
“Dad always pushed us in a positive way to get better. That's what I do with the kids I coach now. I care about them as individuals just like Dad cared about his athletes and teammates.”
After his playing days, McElhaney served as a Butler Area Midget Football League coach, Butler High School girls field coach — where he coached Allison Sams to a state shot put title — and Butler YMCA head swimming coach.
