IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
The IUP Athletic Hall of Fame is happy to extend its honorary award to Jack Pidgeon, whose more than 60 years of involvement in the sport of swimming has included his generous support of the IUP swimming program.
Pidgeon's career in swimming began in 1942 when he set a New England Prep School record in the 100-yard freestyle at Phillips Academy in Andover. Mass.
He earned three varsity letters at Phillips from 1941-43 and attained All-American status in 1942 and 1943. Pidgeon also lettered twice each in football and baseball while attending Bowdoin College.
He earned status as an All-American swimmer in 1948 and was a member of the United States Olympic team the same year.
Pidgeon began his career as the head swim coach at Deerfield Academy from 1949-57, developing 58 All-Americans. He moved on to Kiski School in 1957 and was the headmaster and swim coach there until his retirement in 2002, producing more than 150 All-Americans.
With 45 years of service at Kiski, Pidgeon holds the distinction of being the longest reigning headmaster of a single-sex preparatory school by the National Association of Independent Schools.
He has received honorary doctoral degrees from Bethany College and Washington and Jefferson College.
Pidgeon began volunteering with IUP's swimming team in 2003 and in 2004 his generous donation of $250.000 established the John A. Pidgeon Endowed Swimming Scholarship.
He is a veteran of World War II, having served as a lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve. He was assigned to convoy duty in the North Atlantic during the war.
Pidgeon is enshrined in the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame.
Pidgeon is the father of two sons. Sandy and Kelly, and two daughters, Regan and Beth. Pidgeon also has four grandchildren. He is married to Barbara Hafer.
