Historical Museum Accepts Plaque Honoring Beach Patrol “Hall of Fame”

SEA ISLE CITY – On April 11, a commemorative plaque was donated by the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Alumni Association (SICBPAA) to the Sea Isle City Historical Museum, which is now located inside the new Sea Isle City Library at 48th Street and Central Avenue. The plaque, which lists the names of each of the alumni association’s “Hall of Fame” inductees, was presented by retired lifeguards Jack Gibson and Dr. Thomas McCann. Gibson, the current president of the SICBPAA, and McCann, the association’s co-founder and a former SICBP captain, presented the plaque to Historical Society President Mike Stafford, who stated that he will immediately find an appropriate location inside the museum for the new artifact.
According to McCann, the alumni association was founded in 2001, when a group of retired lifeguards gathered to honor former Beach Patrol Captain Joe Bowen, who was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the year he joined the SICBP. The group then decided to create an alumni association as a means to keep in touch with many of Sea Isle’s former lifeguards. Additionally, creating a “Hall of Fame” would allow them to honor the guards who made a positive impact on Sea Isle City. Each year since, they have inducted additional members into their Hall of Fame, and in 2012 they inducted the first female lifeguards.
To become an inductee of the SICBPAA Hall of Fame, a lifeguard must have at least three years of service with Sea Isle’s beach patrol. An inductee’s “performance on the beach” and their overall character is also examined.
“Our organization is honored to be recognized by the Sea Isle City Historical Society,” said McCann, who is currently the principal of Vineland High School in Cumberland County. “Sea Isle’s historical museum is located in a high-profile facility that will give everyone the opportunity to learn what our lifeguards have accomplished over the years. The new library and the historical museum are becoming the heart of this town.”
“This is just one more example of the way the historical society works with the community to preserve our town’s past,” said Stafford. “This plaque from the alumni association illustrates the trust that all of the city’s organizations have in our museum. We are very grateful for each of the artifacts we have on display – and that Sea Isle’s local organizations continue to donate items to the museum for the enjoyment of everyone.”