http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_10092847Drowning victim was 'a real inspiration to the kids'
By JAMIE McCUNE
Evening Sun Reporter
Article Launched: 08/04/2008 10:50:19 AM EDT
David Gorman, of Biglerville, a well-known area athlete, died Saturday in a drowning accident. (Submitted)
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A Biglerville man known for his athleticism and for mentoring youth in pole vaulting died Saturday evening at a private residence as the result of an accidental drowning. Emergency services responded to the residence just after 8 p.m. but were unable to revive the victim.
Deputy Coroner Francis Dutrow Jr. said the autopsy Sunday morning on David J. Gorman confirmed the cause of death was drowning. Gorman had no history of health problems and was in good health, Dutrow said. Police were ruling out foul play Sunday night.
Gorman, 54, participated in wrestling, track and field, and football at Biglerville High School. As quarterback for the football team, he led the Canners to a victory in the Blue Mountain League Championship.
"He was a good quarterback, called all his own plays. He was a good lead over the kids," said Jack Emanuel, Gorman's football coach. "I was head coach, but when I had a kid like that, I let him call his own plays."
The 1972 graduate also set a high school record in pole vaulting that still stands 37 years later, according to his younger brother, Thomas Gorman, of Littlestown.
"In his nephew's words, he was a ridiculous athlete," Thomas said.
Thomas said he and his brother would go on skiiing trips with friends, many of whom David met through Ed's Ski Shop in York. A group of about 20 would regularly ski together.
"He just had so many friends whenever he went anywhere," Thomas said.
After continuing to compete in college, David spent 20 years away from the sport of pole vaulting, filling his time with skiing and taking up cycling in 1983. Ten of those years were spent living what Thomas termed an enviable life in Sun Valley, Idaho, working at ski shops and making occasional trips to New York, Vermont and New Hampshire to ski.
As a cyclist, he participated in Bike Across America and was one of the few to complete the entire course without missing a mile, Thomas said. Most recently he taught a cycling class in the evenings at the YWCA Gettysburg and Adams County.
But teaching was not new to David, who returned to pole vaulting in the late '90s as both a coach and an athlete.
"He just formed his life around all of his activities," Thomas said.
In 2007, David competed in national competition and tied for 22nd in the USA Masters Track and Field for the age group 50 to 54. With his brother, Steven, he co-founded the Heritage Vault Club, and also served as a consultant and assistant coach for the Gettysburg High School track and field team.
Through both of these endeavors, he was able to coach and mentor a number of young athletes, including Lindsay Kopenhaver and Leandra "Dede" Golden, both of Hanover High School, as well as his two nephews, Tyler, 26, and Kyle, 22, who pole vaulted at Littlestown High School.
"Kids love him because he's always positive," said Jack Harbaugh, the Gettysburg High School track and field coach. "He was a real inspiration to the kids."
According to Harbaugh, David would have the pole vaulters over to his home for "get-togethers" on Wednesday nights. David and his brother, Steve, were instrumental in making pole vaulting into a true extracurricular activity instead of just something to do after school hours, Thomas said. Students traveled from upper Dauphin County, Harrisburg and Altoona to participate in workshops.
"He had the kids' respect and they liked him so they kept doing it. So, they jumped until it was too cold to jump and started as soon as it was warmer," Thomas said.
David was always willing to help out aspiring vaulters, Hanover coach Tara Bahn said.
"He was very open to letting anyone come and work with him," she said. "Although not a (team) coach, he worked with Lindsay. He definitely had a big impact on the pole vaulters."
David even helped train his nephews' rivals, according to Thomas.
"That was a true sign of love for the sport and his ability to teach," Thomas said.
"He didn't push people hard because he didn't have to. He just brought the best out of them," Thomas said. "He was 5'4" and just a solid stick of dynamite."
