Hempfield basketball coach Danny Walck, right, and McCaskey football coach Todd Mealy, left, took part in a Next Generation of Lancaster Forum at the Forklift and Palate Restaurant a Spooky Nook. Longtime WGAL anchor and reporter Barbara Barr, center, a Lancaster Sports Hall of Fame inductee, moderated the forum. The event's goal is to provide professional guidance to young professionals in Lancaster. KJ Myers of Kegel's Produce and co-founder and president of Next Generation Lancaster organized the forum featuring the coaching greats.
Walck has won more than 400 basketball games during his career, having coached at Reading, Warwick and Lancaster Catholic in addition to Hempfield. Mealy, a Bishop McDevitt graduate, has led Penn Manor and Lancaster Catholic to winning seasons in football and is looking to turn the McCaskey Red Tornado football program around.
Mealy told the crowd it's important to show players "consistency in coaching when it comes to leading a team. Mealy has a PhD from Penn State and teaches history at McCaskey. He's the author of a number of books and signed copies at the event. He says it's important to "have a plan" when taking on new ventures as he did when he left coaching for a time to pursue a degree. He also says it's important to "find something you are passionate about." Mealy also created a business, The National Institute for Customizing Education, and serves as its executive director.
Walck told the young professionals that "sports are a great teacher for life and the workplace. You often need to work as a team." He has been involved with former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's camp and has also worked with current Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer at the camp. Walck says he emphasizes preparing his teams for "pressure situations through practice, with preparation and practice being a key to success in any field."
Members of the audience asked questions as well and former players talked about the coaches ability to communicate, work ethic and knowledge as reasons for their success in becoming two of the top coaches in the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
Next Generation of Lancaster is a group of young professionals looking for mentorship opportunities as well as fostering talent in different industries. The next event will be at a Lancaster Stormers game June 26. Former McCaskey and NFL player Kris Wilson, a Lancaster County Sports Hall of Fame inductee, will be the speaker.
April 24, 2025
