The Blair County Sports Hall Of Fame Art Taneyhill A legend among Pennsylvania high school basketball coaches By JIM LANE “There was a rule at the time that you couldn’t be in Altoona Mirror guidance and coach, too, so I didn’t coach one year,” Taneyhill said. “But, then they changed that rule and they hen Pennsylvania high school girls’ basketball is dis - asked me to take the girls’ (coaching) job when it Wcussed, particularly in District 6, one name is always opened.” mentioned: Art Taneyhill. That was the start of an incredible run. He set the standard for girls’ basketball. “The first thing I did was test the girls,” he said. “I Taneyhill's Altoona Lady Lions’ program was one of found out they were willing to work and dedicate them - the most successful in selves to the game. They Pennsylvania, and it earned had an intense desire to national honors as well. learn and to become good. During Taneyhill’s tenure, “So, we pushed them to from the 1976-77 season the limit and took them from through the 1995-96 cam - a jump-ball game to an paign, the Altoona girls were aggressive, wide-open, fast - arguably the state’s No. 1 breaking game that they program because of, among enjoyed playing and that other things: the fans enjoyed watching.” • Four PIAA state champi - Taneyhill jumped into onship victories. the job and built the pro - • Seven state title game gram from top to bottom — appearances. actually bottom to top. • Thirteen appearances in “Bill Acker was instru - the Western Regional mental in getting us an ele - final, including 12 in his mentary program,” Taneyhill last 14 seasons. said. “People like Jeff • Twelve District 6 champi - Wagner (Keith) and Gary onships. Smithmyer (Roosevelt) ran • Two unbeaten seasons the same things with the jun - and two USA Today myth - ior high programs, and that ical national really helped.” championships. To build interest, • 27 players earned Division Taneyhill asked principal I scholarships. Herk Betar and athletic “Coach Taneyhill is girls’ director Jack Ray to move basketball in central the Lady Lions’ games from Pennsylvania,” said Lisa the afternoon to night. (Fubio) Gehret, still consid - Art did it all while coaching the Altoona High girls, “We started to win and ered by many as the finest including occasionally mopping the court. we got recognition from the Altoona player ever and a member of the first Altoona Mirror, WRTA, and TV-10,” Taneyhill noted. “Interest began team (1981) to reach Hershey. to grow in the city. I think our games were exciting. We “He made us believe,” she said. “He made us believe didn’t win all of the time, but we scored a lot. We started in ourselves, and believe in him, while he built the pro - getting great crowds because of the way we played.” gram from the ground up. I have great respect for him as Taneyhill was a pioneer of sorts. Altoona was the first a coach, a leader, and a friend, and I am so proud to to play girls’ games at night, and they helped set a trend have been a part of his legacy.” by bringing the team onto the court with blaring music. After several years as an assistant to John Swogger He put together an outstanding schedule, and he and with the Altoona boys, Taneyhill, who had been an ele - his assistant coaches videotaped playoff opponents. mentary and junior high school teacher, took a job as a “We were a pioneer only because we did things guidance counselor at Altoona Area High School. nobody else was doing,” Taneyhill said. “We had great -11- The Blair County Sports Hall Of Fame support from the administration which possible. allowed us to do that.” “I remember the crowds that fol - Because of their success, the lowed us and the welcome home Altoona Rotary Club put together a receptions from Hershey,” he said. “I holiday tournament that attracted remember the Golden Girls from 1995- nationally-ranked teams from such 96, and some kids who didn’t get there places as Tennessee, Kentucky, New but had great runs. I had three years York, Wisconsin and California. with my daughter, and a lot of guys Taneyhill even had a contract with would give their right arm to do that. Nike which provided some equipment "It’s great to see the kids come for the Lady Lions in exchange for using back to be teachers and coaches — him as a clinic speaker. that’s what it’s all about, not necessari - Altoona’s success fueled interest in ly the wins and losses.” girls’ basketball throughout Blair County Debbie Taneyhill, now the head and central Pennsylvania. coach at George Mason University, “Art set a standard for girls’ basket - remembers being around the program ball in the area, and he challenged as a youngster and then helping the other programs to reach that stan - Lady Lions reach Hershey three years dard,” former Hollidaysburg coach Joe Art was always animated in a row with her dad. Hurd said. “He marketed his program on the sidelines. “Our lives always revolved around and his players, and the rest of us sports,” she said. “It was a wonderful copied him. way to grow up — to have all those ties and experi - “His success at the national level gave rise to girls’ ences. basketball in this area, and it was special,” Hurd said. “He “I’m glad I got to play for him,” she said. “He’s a was the catalyst for everything, and it was a grand time. great coach, really cares for his players, and a lot of the If you look at girls’ basketball in the area now, there are way I coach is directly influenced by him.” good players and teams, but the one thing that is miss - Taneyhill, who spent 35 years in education as a ing is Art. teacher, guidance counselor, coach and athletic direc - “He could fire you up and make you mad, but he tor, has been retired two years, and he’s enjoying it. generated enthusiasm that was necessary to take it to “It was time, and it’s proved to be right,” he said. the next level,” Hurd added. “Things have changed, and I’ve changed.” Many people were surprised when Taneyhill left the He spends a lot of time on the golf course and girls’ program to guide the boys’ program four years. serves as a radio analyst for area high school games “I got tired the last couple of years,” he said. “People with Charley Weston and WRTA. got to expect things. We weren’t as appreciated and it “I’m hooked on golf,” he said, “and the radio has started to wear on me. been fun, but it’s tough at times because the old coach “I thought the boys offered a good change,” he comes out in me.” said. “We got to the Western finals the second year, and He and wife Susan enjoy watching both of their chil - although the last two years weren’t as successsful, I have dren coach — Debbie at George Mason and Steve at a no regrets.” private school in South Carolina where he’s won back- Memories? He’s got a ton of them. to-back football state championships. They also like to “I had some great assistants who spend time with their grandson, devoted themselves to the program,” Jason. he said. “I had a lot of great athletes, Taneyhill’s selection to the Blair and I know I’m missing some, but Lisa Taneyhill bio County Sports Hall of Fame tonight Fubio, Debbie Taneyhill, Linda caps an illustrious career. Schimminger and Jill Lane, the Hymes “Not many people get a chance kids, Jenny Shingler, Jessica Montrella Sport: Basketball. to coach as long as I did and be suc - and Jill Bartley, Courtney Kaup and Jill High school: Altoona, 1961. cessful in your hometown,” he said. Humbertson were willing to make sac - “I’ve had a lot of accolades — College: Shippensburg. rifices and pulled others with them Coach of the Year by USA Today was during the summer. Hall of Fame achievement: a great honor and selection to the “We had great parents, and great Guided the Altoona Area Western Pennsylvania Hall of Fame support from the Big A Booster Club,” High School girls basketball was great, but this is the ultimate.” he noted. “And, great administrative team to four PIAA titles. support, too. It wasn’t always peaches Current occupation: Retired. and cream, but they helped make it Current residence: Altoona. -12-