Michael F. “Mickey” Noonan

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Michael F. “Mickey” Noonan, deceased, was a former Wyoming Valley coach and sports official. Born- in Scranton he was a resident of Plymouth most of his life and a graduate of Plymouth High School. Mr. Noonan had been a professional baseball player in the Midwest and South for several years following his graduation from high school. He was later associated with the Kingston Coal Co., Plymouth for more than -15 years. According to a May 19, 1950, Times Leader article, “Mickey” Noonan played shortstop and outfield in professional baseball. He was considered an outstanding prospect and was brought up from the minor leagues by the Pittsburgh Pirates. A broken leg ruined his chances with the Pirates, and he returned to the minors. Mr. Noonan played for such clubs as Toronto, Knoxville, Springfield and Allentown. His best day in baseball was recorded when he smashed five home runs while playing Jakie Pitler’s Springfield club in the Central League. Mickey Noonon, one of the originals of the real pioneers in inter-scholastic sports as we have known them for generations, had been employed as a mine restoration foreman with the Division of Mines and Minerals Industries of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources at Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre for more than 20 years. About the size of a present day Little League pitcher, Mickey was one of the earliest of All-Scholastics, back in the early ’20s. He saw the need for well-run high school sports and he spent a great part of his life setting an example in that field by achievement. Mickey was often ahead of his time with such ideas as different color yard markers on a gridiron for easier player and fan recognition. He was well-known as a high school football, basketball and baseball official, having served local high schools in that capacity for many years. He served as baseball coach at St. Vincent’s High School, Plymouth, for several years. He had conducted a state-accredited school for football officials for more than 25 years and he had acted as rules interpreter for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association for some time. He has been nationally recognized for his many years of service to student athletics.