If they can Swim Together: Aquatic Center Manager Leads as Tribute

Jun. 20—Semper Fi, the hallowed cry of the United States Marine Corps, is an apt description of Joseph Wiggs. Always faithful, Wiggs continues to serve, just not with the volunteer military of his younger days, but with young women and men at Huntsville's municipal pool.

"Training Marines is easier than coaching swimmers, because Marines have to do what you say," said Wiggs, Director of the Frank "Poncho" Roberts Aquatic Center, on the south side of Huntsville's Eastham-Thomason Park complex.

Wiggs would know, prior to serving in multiple capacities at the City of Huntsville, he taught, recruited and trained for the Marines in California and abroad. Wiggs served at noted bases like El Toro and Camp Pendleton, at which he provided service like securing the first space shuttle, and instructing marksmanship. While in California, Wiggs met the woman he would later marry, at of all things a wedding.

"Barbara came to California from Texas to attend a friend's wedding, and I saw her there," said Wiggs.

Lovestruck, the two would kindle an enduring romance that resulted in Barbara relocating to the West Coast.

"After I finished serving over seas, I came out of the Marines, returned to California, and we stayed there until Rodney King and OJ," said Wiggs.

It was then that Barbara made the decision to return to Huntsville, with Wiggs in-tow several months later.

"This was a decision about the best place for our family to prosper," said Wiggs. Wiggs said his origins in small-town North Carolina prepared him to thrive in Huntsville, after such a long time being in California.

"Kinston was small, like Huntsville, and a lot of what we had was family, friends, faith, and work," said Wiggs.

Wiggs grew up there, graduating high school in 1977, and heading straight to California.

"I came into the City of Huntsville first as a seasonal employee, then became a crew leader, park supervisor, before my first go-round managing the aquatic center," said Wiggs.

Wiggs became Director of Parks and Recreation which was renamed Parks and Leisure, from which he retired in 2021. In 2022, Wiggs would be called back to the aquatic center to provide leadership and stability to the very visible City asset.

Opened in 2006, the aquatic center has been a very unifying symbol, both in concept and reality. Poncho Roberts' spirit permeates the atmosphere of the pool, and looms large in the thoughts of Wiggs as he leads. Though in the heart of the historic Rogersville neighborhood, Wiggs says, "This pool is a melting pot, because people come from all over to come to the pool here."

"A lot of kids can walk. Poncho wanted everyone to come here and enjoy this," said Wiggs.

Now on his second tour of duty with the City, Wiggs says the patrons and his professional staff are the joy giving aspect of being back in municipal life.

"The best parts of coming back on are re-establishing old relationships with folks like Penny Joyner, and watching these kids I work with grow," said Wiggs.

Wiggs celebrates his staff, and beams with pride, as he spoke on the lives and academic accomplishment of all his staff members. The aquatic center's senior staff draws its ranks from undergraduate and graduate students in studies ranging from subjects as vast as Business and Nursing. He also acknowledges that retention is among the greatest challenges faced at the pool.

"Keeping staff that are qualified and certified is pretty tough. I work with young people, who have to buy into this place being their house," said Wiggs.

"Like cops or EMT's, my staff has a job: to make sure everyone who comes here, goes home," said Wiggs. Wiggs described hectic summers that fade into quieter falls.

"The beauty of this job is it's go, go, go, for three months, but when school starts, things slow down. That's when I get to go back to teaching swim classes, once the seasonal staff is gone," said Wiggs.

In April of 2015, Wiggs would face the daunting reality of having to carry on life without his dear wife Barbara. Barbara, a beloved community leader with a passion for children, passed away. Wiggs reflected on Barbara's baking and embodied commitment.

"Barbara was so active that it would affect her health," said Wiggs. "Barbara would shout at church, and tell me, 'I'm giving Him all I've got,' and eventually God called her home, I guess."

Wiggs credits family, friends, and co-workers for helping him, and particularly his family make it, after Barbara's death.

"My brother was my best friend for a while, and strong women like LaTanya Blanks, Shaniquwa Cox, and Penny Joyner stood in the gap for my daughter with things like being a good GG," said Wiggs.

Wiggs praised the meaningful drive-by the Street Lords Motorcycle Club performed to honor his daughter's graduation.

Purpose these days for Wiggs is wrapped up in the life of his two-month-old great-granddaughter, his leadership as Worshipful Master of Fidelity Lodge 221 of the Masons, and is a Deacon, and has joined the Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Wiggs is also a life-long musician, playing for several church and quartet groups.

Former Worshipful Master Danny Sanders believes Wiggs to be the right man to tend to the lodge and our community's children at the pool.

"Wiggs is very honorable, responsible, a great leader, a family man, and a good brother...what more could you ask for," Sanders said.

The Frank "Poncho" Roberts Aquatic Center is open from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, and opens at 10 a.m. Saturdays. The pool is located at 912 Avenue N. For more details or to find rates, visit https://huntsvilletx.gov/265/Aquatic-Programs-Fees or call (936) 291-5433.