The "Another Good Guy Leaves The Building" Story

"QUIGS

It was an ordinary day.  Got a call from a friend telling me about the death of another fellow whom I worked with at Manheim Township High School in Neffsville, Pennsylvania.  Fellow by the name of Dan Quigley, aka "Quigs".  Dan was a special type of person who was loved by both his piers as well as the student body.  Dan died last Wednesday at the age of 58.  He died of heart problems.  He is survived by his wife and two children who both are still students at Manheim Township.  Dan was a Philadelphia native who began his 35-year educational career at Harrisonburg High School in Virginia before coming to Manheim Township in 1989.  

Dan and the coach whose life he saved in 2015.

Both schools where Dan was the athletic trainer used the same moniker of "Blue Streaks".  I retired from the high school in 1999, but still got to talk to Dan from time to time when I would visit to work in the print shop.  He seemed to know everyone by their first name and never forgot it.  Quigs actually knew most of the coaches and a few of the players of MT's opponents.  Mike Melnyk was the football coach at MT from 1999 thru 2011 and told the story how Quigs always made his two young sons feel special while working as ball boys for the team.  

Dan and head football coach Mark Evans.

Dan knew every kid, not just the "All-Stars."  And, he treated them all the same.  I can remember visiting him one day in the trainer's room when my daughter had injured her toe.  He actually talked her into feeling it was better by the time she had left his office.  After retirement I continued to do the in-house printing and made visits often to the athletic office.  Dan was a regular in the office talking with the Athletic Director and his secretary.  In 2015 Dan won the National Athletic Trainers' Association Athletic Trainer Service Award.  Six months later he put his training to use when he save the life of Township's Girls assistant Basketball Coach Mike Hackman.  Mike had collapsed at a practice on a Friday afternoon and Quigs was notified instantly.  Dan ran to the gym and began CPR and then used an Automated External Defibrillator unit which he was responsible for getting it place in the high school.  He shocked Mike's heart with the unit until his heart began to beat once again.  The head basketball coach said he stood next to the two of them on the floor watching him do his thing and bringing him back to life.  Dan was calm, cool and collected the entire time.  

Dan greeting students at a sporting event.  

Current head Football Coach Mark Evans said of Quigs, "He was a father, friend and confidant.  He did a lot of things for a lot of people.  That continuity of care, it's pretty heavy in my world.  He was a good man who cared about others.  His life was well-lived even though it was cut short."  His obituary in the Lancaster Newspaper said if anyone wanted to give in his honor, they should give to "The V Foundation" at v.org.  An online story about Dan had garnered  many comments about his humanity and loyalty toward his family and the student athletes at MTHS.  He had a great influence on my children when they participated in sports at MTHS.  Dan Quigley "Quigs" exuded Manheim Township.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.