Mayor, Borough to Honor William Schmidt's 1972 Olympics Win

Tomorrow won’t be just Saturday in Canonsburg.

Mayor David H. Rhome is proclaiming it William “Bill” Schmidt Day.

But the proclamation honoring the 1972 Munich Olympics Bronze medalist is just part of what Rhome and his committee and borough council have planned for that day.

The Canonsburg “native son” and Canon-McMillan School District graduate will also have a marquis erected in his honor, something Rhome said will help celebrate the 40^th anniversary of his third-place, 84.42-meter javelin throw.

The mayor is the first to admit that if you look in the dictionary, perhaps “marquis” isn’t the technical term for the 8-foot-high, 4-foot wide sign—but it might be more appropriate.

“The term ‘sign’ just doesn’t do it justice,” he said.

Rhome added that the “marquis” was funded through private contributions.

Schmidt and his family will be on hand for when it will be unveiled, and the former Olympian will also be honored with the proclamation as well as citations from both state Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane, and state Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg.

Rhome said the public is encouraged to attend the ceremony, which will take place at Pike Street and Ashland Avenue (near the Washington Federal Credit Union) and last about 45 minutes.

“The borough had a ticker-tape parade for him after his Olympic win—this is part of Canonsburg’s history,” Rhome said. “I think it’s important to honor that.”

And the marquis itself will serve as another destination in Canonsburg—just like the Perry Como statue, Sarris Candies and more.

“It’s one more stop,” he said. “Tourism is the number one industry in Washington County, and we want to be a part of that.”