California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Symbolizing California University’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence is Dr. Keith McMonagle, who was a dominant tennis player before going on to a distinguished career in education.

McMonagle played under 2000 Hall of Fame inductees Drs. Allen Welsh and John P. Watkins and compiled impressive singles and doubles career records of 34-2 and 32-4 respectively. He won an unprecedented 34 consecutive singles matches and helped the Vulcans compile a 33-6 cumulative record from 1966 through 1969. Cal won four Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division championships during the McMonagle era as well as the 1968 PSAC team title which was the first year the tennis championships were conducted in tournament fashion involving all the conference schools. His playing partner was Jimmy Taylor.

Cal U was also the District 18 representative at the NAIA national tournament in 1968 and 1969 and the top-seeded McMonagle led the Vulcans to seventh and 13th national finishes respectively. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education and biological sciences in 1969.

Also a standout scholastic player at California Area High School under emeritus Cal U professor Ray Pecuch, McMonagle was a four-year starter who compiled a 28-2 career singles record and 36-4 career mark in doubles. A two-time singles and doubles section champion, McMonagle helped the Trojans win three section team championships with four straight playoff appearances. He and playing partner Ed Price were WPIAL doubles finalists. This dominant tennis duo also advanced to the finals of the prestigious Duquesne Plaque Tournament of Pittsburgh, playing both the Pennsylvania and West Virginia State champions. He also won the California Lions Club Tennis Singles championship and was Cal’s Most Valuable Player during his senior season.

While teaching in the Ringgold School District, McMonagle established the Rams’ first-ever varsity boy’s tennis team. His 15-year coaching career concluded with brilliant overall and section records of 169-24 and 134-18 respectively. From 1978-83, McMonagle coached the Rams to 60 straight sectional wins and five straight section titles. He also was a tennis teaching professional at the Colony Racquet Club in Irwin, Pa. Several of many standout tennis players he mentored included Sonny Toth, Dave Tillery, Mark Mangone, John Chatlak, Lane Stoner, and Ronica Milton.

McMonagle furthered his education by obtaining his master’s degree in biological sciences and his elementary and secondary principal’s certification from Cal U. He then earned his superintendent’s certification, K-12 supervisor of curriculum and instruction and his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

For the past five years, McMonagle has been the principal of Marion Elementary School in the Belle Vernon Area School District. He and Marion Elementary are both significant participants in the Professional Development (PDS) partnership between Cal U and BVA.

The son of Jennie McMonagle, who he attributes as the reason for his athletic and academic success, McMonagle resides in Sewickley, Pa., with his wife Kathleen. They have two grown children-Kelly and Kevin.