The Panther Valley Irish-American Association has selected a Summit Hill man and PVIAA member to receive its annual Shamrock Award during the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Banquet to be held on March 17.

Paul R. McArdle Jr. will receive the award from association President Thomas Jones during the 73rd annual banquet to be held at the Hilltop Community Center in Summit Hill.

“I’m honored and I’m humbled,” said McArdle, 45, who has been active in the association since 1998. He added, “I was stunned. I try to never miss a meeting, and am usually around the discussion leading up to the banquet, but this is definitely something I didn’t see coming. Usually, I’m involved in the decisions, but they sprung this on me.”

“Paul has been a dedicated servant to our community for over 25 years,” said Patrick Crampsie, a member of the association’s recipient committee. “As director of the Summit Hill Civic League, president of the Panther Valley Education Foundation, a local business owner, dedicated educator and coach, Paul’s service has touched countless lives. The association is proud to have one of our own as the 2020 Shamrock Award recipient.”

The honoree took the time to reflect on the honor, saying, “I think about past recipients and it’s like a listing of Who’s Who, including civic leaders, educators and coaches. I think about what they meant to the community, and I’m really humbled to be included in that list. This is something I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving I earned, and will do even more.”

For McArdle, the banquet has always been a special time of the year for him. He said, “One of the things I love about this event is that it celebrates our Irish heritage, but it also helps us to celebrate the community. Despite changes, this community is still amazing. It’s a great place to live and raise a family, and so each of us must do our part to keep it that way.”

He added, “Growing up, St. Patty’s Day always seemed to be a party night. But I think of this banquet and how it honors people who do day-to-day good things, honoring positive behavior, so it always reminds me of how special the event really is.”

The honoree will be following the footsteps of his father, Paul, who received the Shamrock Award in 1998. Paul Jr. said, “It (the dinner program) is always a touching moment. I remember when my dad received the award, it was a time to stress strong family connections. This will be pretty much the same. It’ll be emotional because I think even if you’re prepared for it, when you see people go out of their way to congratulate you, it kind of hits you.”

About the recipient

McArdle is in his 21st year on the faculty at Palmerton Area High School, where he is a co-head of the Social Studies Department, co-adviser of the Environmental Club and was the adviser to the school’s Citizen’s Bee contestants.

Following a five-year stint as an assistant football coach for the Blue Bombers, he took over the head coaching duties for seven years, during which time he led the Bombers to three straight District 11 playoff seasons, winning two district games. His 2007 squad was the co-champion of the Colonial League, earning McArdle Colonial League Coach of the Year honors. The share of the league championship is only one of two championships in the school’s history, the other one being in 1957. When he resigned, he was ranked second in coaching wins in Palmerton high school history.

He founded the Blue Bomber Gridiron Club for after-school weightlifting and also started an annual weightlifting competition in the spring that continues today with his assistance.

McArdle moved on to his alma mater (Panther Valley), where he was an assistant to head coaches Lon Hazlet and Matt Davis for five years. When Davis opted to not return as head coach, McArdle decided to take some time off from coaching.

He also coached track and field for several years at Tamaqua, Palmerton and Panther Valley high schools, and previously was a volunteer coach of CYO basketball, Little League Baseball and PV youth basketball.

With Dr. Richard Vermillion and attorney Joseph Perilli, McArdle founded the Panther Valley Education Foundation, which later was headed by Lisa Hiles and Krisin (Tirpak) Haas. The foundation funds educational opportunities for local students and teachers. McArdle headed the Teacher Excellence Grant program that awarded $2,000 in grants annually to Panther Valley teachers for use in their classrooms, and also sponsors the Anthracite Triathalon.

A member of the PVIAA since 1998, he is a former president and has been the association’s secretary/publicity liaison for the past seven years.

He operates McArdle Home Improvements in the summers; is an occasional TV-13 guest commentator; served as commissioner of the Summit Hill Adult Basketball League; and started a three-on-three charity basketball tournament in his hometown.

He is married to the former Anita Garfield, daughter of attorney Michael and Marianne (Bonner) Garfield of Summit Hill. Anita’s grandfather, the late Dr. Dennis Bonner, received the award in 1971. The McArdles have three children, Nick, a graduate of Kutztown University, and Riley and Chase, eighth-grade and fourth-grade students, respectively, in Panther Valley schools.

A son of Summit Hill Mayor Paul McArdle and the late Gerrie (Wye) DeGiosio McArdle, Paul has two brothers, Gino and Antony DeGiosio, and two sisters, Claudia (DeGiosio) Krell and Mollie (McArdle) Dimicelli.

He is a member of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley, Summit Hill.

McArdle graduated from Panther Valley High School in 1992 and King’s College in 1997, and received a master’s degree in 2004 from DeSales University.

The program will get underway on March 17 with a cocktail hour from 5-6 p.m., followed by the dinner and the program. Tickets ($30 each) are available from association members Bob Crampsie, 570-657-1876; Pat Crampsie, 570-657-7598; Michael McCall, 570-778-8841; and Jim Gurka, 570-952-1132.