The Highmark Quad Games traditionally schedules its swimming leg at Edinboro University’s McComb Fieldhouse natatorium for the last Sunday in April.
That wasn't the case last year, and it won't be this year, either. Quad director Alex Zarger lamented that fact when he spoke with the Erie Times-News this week.
Zarger, a 2007 Harbor Creek graduate and former Quad athlete, confirmed the Quad’s hiatus, which began with the conclusion of its 2022-23 season, will continue into early next year.
However, the clinical director for Erie’s Drayer Physical Therapy Institute also was emphatic the swimming/cycling/running/cross country skiing competition will resume next spring.
“It just didn’t work out for this (season),” Zarger said, “but it will come back. It’s a great event and it’s always been something close to my heart. I’m definitely going to keep working hard to get it back next year.”
Quad background
Craig Latimer, Kelly Latimer’s father-in-law, founded the Quad Games in 1983. Inspired by “The Superstars” and “Battle of the Network Stars” broadcast on ABC in the late 1970s, he created the four-stage event as way to help area residents get healthy or stay healthy in a formal but fun format.
Latimer, nicknamed “The Quadfather,” retired as its director in 2014. Girard residents Curt and Julie Cardman were in charge for one season.
The Quad’s current inactivity began early last year, when Kelly Latimer stepped down after an eight-season tenure as director. She mentioned family and her new job as client relations director for Tivity Health as the reasons behind that resignation.
Although Zarger agreed to be Latimer’s successor, the decision was made too late for Highmark officials. Its deadline to budget for 2023-24 Quad sponsorship had passed.
Thus, the reason there was no competition over that span.
Why the Quad won't happen this year
Extenuating circumstances further hindered Zarger, whose first order of business as the Quad’s director was to maintain its non-profit status through the YMCA of Greater Erie. Those talks stalled last year when Gerry Vandermerwe retired as its chief executive officer.
The former Gannon University soccer star concluded 35 years of service with the organization.
Jim McEldowney, himself a 30-year employee and the YMCA of Greater Erie’s chief operating officer, took over for Vandermerwe. However, his promotion didn’t become official until last Oct. 15.
“That just delayed talks to see where we stood and he stood,” Zarger said. “We didn’t get the chance to meet and talk until after the holidays. Understandably, the Quad wasn’t at the top of his list of issues he needed to settle with his new job, which was fine.
“But you had to have everything going (for a 2024-25 Quad) by the first of the year, which is why it’s not happening.”
Zarger said his personal life also stymied the Quad’s resurrection, albeit for the better. He recently became a first-time father and moved into a new home with his growing family.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
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