Most teachers, coaches, scout leaders and others who work with children have an impact on people's lives that many of the children carry into adulthood. But even among those leaving such a rewarding legacy, John "Pump" McLaughlin, the longtime swimming coach and instructor at the Butler YMCA, was special. Though 48 years of teaching and coaching at the YMCA, he touched literally thousands of lives.

McLaughlin, who died Sunday evening of cancer at age 64, was at one time or another a part of the lives of people ranging from today's grade school children to adults, including, no doubt, some grandparents of his most recent learn-to-swim program.

His won-loss record with YMCA teams earned him the respect of his coaching peers across Pennsylvania and beyond, so it was fitting that he received a lifetime achievement award during the Pennsylvania YMCA state swimming meet at Penn State University on Sunday afternoon.

Pump was recognized for his accomplishments as a coach whose teams finished in the top five at YMCA district meets 41 times. He is credited with giving two Olympians (a swimmer and a diver), and one more swimmer now aiming at the Olympics, their starts.

But more than team victories and vicarious Olympic glory, Pump was recognized for the guidance he provided young people. When people who knew him best talked about Pump this week, they talked of patience, honesty, humility, caring, discipline, no bravado, fun, pride, absence of showmanship, integrity and the ability to treat everyone the same, whether a state champion or a beginner doggy paddler.

Many of the young people Pump coached, taught to swim or helped train to be lifeguards have remained in Butler County. Many others have moved across the country to live their lives as teachers, lawyers, contractors, doctors and business owners. Many of those people have instilled in their own children the love of swimming and essential life lessons that Pump nurtured in them so many years ago.

Some of Pump's swimmers have returned to coach swimming themselves, including Syracuse University standout Tom Turner, and Clarion University coach Mark VanDyke, who was just awarded the PSAC women's coach of the year honor. Many of those he coached or taught to swim are now successful professionals who credit Pump for instilling in them some of the qualities of self-confidence and hard work that have allowed them to succeed outside the pool.

Many of those sharing fond memories of Pump remember the booming voice that echoed throughout the pool area at the YMCA to instill discipline when needed, as well as the quick smile and easy laugh that led so many to think of their coach as a friend.

Others stories seemed to focus on Pump's uncanny ability to calm a nervous child during his or her first fearful attempts to swim. One speaker at Wednesday's funeral service at the YMCA said there was something magical about Pump's rapport with young children. He also suggested that Pump was far more than a coach or teacher, he was a mentor. Swimming was his vehicle, but his friends and colleagues suggested he taught honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. He taught about life.

In looking at Pump's life, it seems as though he gave his life to swimming, and swimming gave him his life. But the recollections coming to light in the past two days suggest that Pump's impact extended beyond swimming and the pool. He gave his life to swimmers, and swimmers gave him his life. He was all about people - especially helping young people reach their potential and become solid, productive adults.

Though he obviously had talent for teaching and coaching, and clearly loved swimming, what Pump cared for most was people and helping everyone he came in contact with achieve in life. Succeeding at that with so many people, and over so many years, was perhaps Pump's greatest gift.

- J.L.W.III