William "Will" McCorkle is the Metro Aquatics Director who oversees both the pools and aquatic programming at the Michigan City and La Porte YMCA. McCorkle has been working at the YMCA in La Porte and Michigan City since 2020.
“I've been in the aquatics field for about five or six years. I moved from Maine to Michigan and when I was looking for a job, I wanted to stay in the aquatics and recreation field. In September of 2020, I started my job as the aquatic coordinator at the Michigan City YMCA. Then about a year later in September of 2021, the aquatic director at the La Porte branch decided to move on to other things. We were looking for somebody to take that spot but we didn’t have much luck. And then the opportunity came up for me to step into both roles into the metro aquatic director position, overseeing both aquatics in Michigan City and in La Porte,” said McCorkle.
Before McCorkle moved to Michigan, he was living in Maine working as the assistant aquatic director and head swim coach of the swim team at the YWCA for four years. McCorkle decided to make the move from Maine to Michigan in 2020 due to not wanting to do long distance with his fiance anymore.
Everyday is a busy one for McCorkle while working at the YMCA.
“I usually open at six o'clock in the morning at the Michigan City YMCA and lifeguard for a little bit. Sometimes I come in mid morning at the La Porte branch depending on the day. And then on Fridays, I teach a water fitness class in the morning for an hour. Then if I'm not lifeguarding or teaching I'm in the office trying to come up with different fun programs and activities for the members to enjoy – whether it's a new water fitness class or community based activity for kids. I also teach swim lessons both at Michigan City and La Porte,” said McCorkle.
McCorkle has been swimming for his whole life. He started competitive swimming in high school and ever since then he’s loved the water.
“I've been swimming in a pool since I was four years old doing swim lessons and swimming in the ocean at my family's house. Then I joined a high school swim team and got my first lifeguard job in college. Now I’m pursuing a career from there,” said McCorkle.
McCorkle is very passionate about his job at the YMCA. He enjoys all the new faces he gets to interact with everyday.
“My favorite part of the job is interacting with all kinds of people that are at the pool," said McCorkle. "I love getting to hear their story and why they're here, whether it's in the pool or even just walking down the hallway. I love interacting with everybody and I love being able to create programs for everybody to share my passion for swimming because not everybody gets that opportunity to be around the water."
Outside of work, McCorkle can be seen kayaking or hiking with his fiance and his dog.
“I love to kayak. I haven't done too much kayaking since I moved out of Maine, but I did bring my kayak with me. I also love to hike. I like to spend the weekends with my fiance where we go on hikes with our dog,” said McCorkle.
McCorkle will always be thankful for the life that the YMCA was able to help him make.
“I really enjoy my life here at the YMCA. I enjoy the people and my co-workers. It's been a great opportunity,” said McCorkle.