![[Albany Area YMCA LOGO SQ]](https://recliquecore.s3.amazonaws.com/imgs/ymca_logos/named_y/red_yellow.png)
![[Albany Area YMCA LOGO FULL]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/recliquecore/imgs/ymca_logos/named/red_yellow.png)
Sam McCormick’s story is a bit different in that she “always walked on the left side of the street” and in areas where there was no female presence, particularly as a drummer and a jeweler. Because of a medical situation when she was young, she went above and beyond to be athletic— from running to water sports to speed skating.
Her son came of age, and the YMCA became his afterschool babysitter, teacher, surrogate parent. He was interested in swimming, therefore, swim lessons. Her greatest nightmare came to pass— watching her baby jump off the high dive into the deep end to get his shark badge. He grew and they moved on with the Y into soccer and so forth with Andre London, who was Sports Director at the time.
On February 14th, 1991 Golds Gym opened and Sam went to each job in the facility to understand the workings and how to make money, and started the SilverSneakers program. That was her cup of tea as she dearly loved senior individuals and easily saw the need for a facility to accommodate that population in our community. Around 2012 The Gym (Gold’s Gym) closed and Sam began working in the Lee County School system, and at the Lee Branch YMCA, becoming the Fitness Associate at both branches, then moving into the Health and Wellness director position in 2019.
Going from for-profit to not-for-profit was an entirely different animal, but she has been able to use her skills with all age groups. Sam loves people, has a big ole heart, and has had the pleasure to use these gifts for the greater good.
