Mr. Iswalt graduated from Reading Central Catholic in
1985. His fondest memory was as a basketball player on the State Championship
team. He was a versatile player who was
committed and determined to help his team win.
Mr. Iswalt learned the value of hard work and dedication in
athletics to achieve lifelong goals. He began his college career at Lebanon
Valley College with an undeclared major, then realized that his enjoyment for
the social sciences and love for basketball might bond into a teaching and coaching career. With a “game change” in mind he
transferred to Shippensburg University
where injury became a minor set back to playing basketball and completing his education in 1990 became
the next “big play”. Mr. Iswalt graduated
from Shippensburg University with a BSED in Social Studies. A series of substituting and long term sub
opportunities followed thru 1991.
A “life changing” opportunity presented itself to Mr.
Iswalt by 1992 when he was hired as a 7th grade Early American
History teacher at the Middle School as
well as an assistant high school basketball coach for the Trojans. Serving on the legendary staff of Coach Ken
Davis turned out to be an unbelievable experience that propelled Mr. Iswalt to
coach on a team that would turn out to win
the 1992-‘93 State Basketball Championship. For the next five years coach Iswalt served
as a JV basketball coach during a time that was considered a “golden age” of
Pottstown basketball, that included appearances in league championships, district championships, and state
championship games.
It wouldn’t be long, before Mr. Iswalt would face a
challenging but exciting opportunity to succeed Coach Davis as the head
basketball coach in 1997. By December
of the same year Mr. Iswalt would earn his Masters in Social Studies Education
from Kutztown University. In order to
continue with the success of the basketball program, Mr. Iswalt would move to
the high school to teach U.S. History and American Government. By the 1998-’99 season the Trojans resumed
their District 1 status by regaining the basketball championship. The following year the Trojans would make
appearances in the league Final Four and the District 1 Championships. The next season of 2000-2001 would be a
charm for Coach Iswalt and the Trojans capturing their first league title of
the Millenium. Coach Iswalt would
resign after the ’02 season due to the start of a young family. Mr. Iswalt’s absence from coaching would
be temporary due to a vacancy that he would fill in 2003-2004 season. In the classroom Mr. Iswalt would teach a new
elective course called Contemporary Issues.
Students met twice a week to read, write , and discuss current events. The
young Trojan basketball teams made steady improvement during Coach Iswalt’s
second return. The teams made the league Final Four and
played in District playoffs. Fans of Pottstown basketball felt that the
years ahead were very promising.
They wouldn’t have to wait much
longer then 2007-2008. A team that
rekindled excitement throughout the community and Pottstown Pride and
tradition in winning both a league title
and District 1 Championship. Beyond successful basketball seasons and championships
of that era, Mr. Iswalt generated school
spirit and pride in being a Trojan.
The years have past and Mr. Iswalt places his energy in teaching U.S. History, Pre-AP U.S. History and AP U.S.
History. Mr. Iswalt enjoys being a
husband and a proud father of three children.