On July 8, the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol (SICBP) Alumni Association hosted their annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at the Lobster Loft Restaurant, where scores of former lifeguards, their families and other supporters gathered to welcome four new members into the organization’s Hall of Fame. This year’s Hall of Fame inductees were Becky Lederer, Joe McCann, Mike McHale and Jim Savage. This year’s honorees brought the total number of Hall of Fame members up to 44.
Becky Lederer, a lifeguard in Sea Isle City for nine years, was an accomplished competitor during lifeguard races – including being a six-time Doubles Rowing champion, two-time Singles Rowing champion, and six-time Surf Bash champion — as well as a Paddle Board and Women’s Super Athalon Champion. After lifeguarding in Sea Isle City, she went on to become an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia.
Joe McCann, who was also a formidable competitor while with the SICBP, was a 1967 Tri-City Iron Man champion and Half-Mile Run Champion, and a 1973 Doubles Rowing champion. He was also a Varsity Cross Country star at Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, PA., where his team won many prestigious titles. After nine years with the SICBP, he went on to become a builder and realtor in Sea Isle City. He is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus at Saint Joseph Catholic Church; and three of his children went on to become lifeguards.
Mike McHale, who is a past Mayor, Commissioner and City Councilman in Sea Isle City, served with the SICBP for ten years, ultimately achieving the rank of Captain. Also a competitive athlete and a Half-Mile Run champion, Captain McHale is a graduate of Penn State University and later earned his Master’s Degree from West Chester University. He is a U.S. Army Veteran, a past Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, and he is the current President of the Sea Isle City Historical Society. Two of Mr. McHale’s sons also went on to become lifeguards.
Jim Savage was a member of the SICBP for 15 years overall, during which time he was a three-time Doubles Rowing champion, a three-time Singles Rowing champion and a successful competitive runner. He is the current Head Wrestling Coach at Father Judge Catholic High School in Philadelphia and the past Head Wrestling Coach at North Catholic High School, where his students have earned eleven Catholic League championships, seven State medals and one State championship during the past 18 years.
According to Alumni President John McCann, the purpose of the SICBP Alumni Association is to develop camaraderie and benevolence with activities run by the Alumni Committee – and to recognize the outstanding SICBP alumni through their “Hall of Fame.”
“We are very happy to welcome our four newest inductees into the Hall of Fame,” said President McCann. “I think it was the largest crowd we ever had at an Alumni Dinner, and from all reports everyone enjoyed themselves – it was an outstanding evening.”
To learn more about the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol or their Alumni Association, visit www.sicbp.com or email sicbpalumni@gmail.com.
