The man behind the voice that called every Valley Central touchdown for nearly three decades is being lovingly remembered, following his passing last Thursday.
Kevin McFadden taught in and chaired the English Department at Valley Central High School and served as summer school principal, but he likely is best remembered as the public address announcers at Vikings’ home football games for many years, a labor of love that extended after his retirement as a teacher.
“No Valley Central fan or player could ever forget his famous exclamation ‘And there is joy in the land of the Vikings!’ that accompanied every Viking touchdown,” wrote Mike Bellasora, assistant superintendent and former VC athletic director. “If Derek Jeter had been a football player and played for Valley Central, he would have asked to have it recorded.”
McFadden received many awards including a Life Time Recognition by the Valley Central PTA. Following his retirement, McFadden spent several years at Mount St Mary College training young teachers and – Bellarosa notes - attending the first day of every VC football practice for more than 50 years.
When the ew grandstand was completed several years ago, the school board voted unanimously to dedicate the press box in his honor. It is known as ‘The Kevin McFadden Press Box.’
“Thank you for teaching us that the role in life we have today - be it soldier, servant or prince - is not nearly as important as the kind of person that we choose to become tomorrow,” Bellarosa wrote. “And thank you especially for the joy you have always brought to the land of the Vikings.”