American Swimming Coaches Association A Publication of the American Swimming Coaches Council for Sport Development

2012 Edition Issue 06 Newsletter

Time for Inside this issue 3 Letter to the Editor ASCA Board From Dick Jochums 4 Phelps And The Future Nominations Of Swimming By Craig Lord — Swim News

Annual ASCA Board Elections are conducted at the ASCA 10 Congratulations World Clinic during the Business Meeting of the ASCA. This Fellows’ class of 2012 year, Friday, Sept. 7 – 10:30-11:15 AM. 12 Topic: High School Five Board Members are elected each year. vs Club Swimming — Conflicts or Choice The 2012 Nominees to Date are: By Zaq Harrison

Coach Mike Bottom 17 ASCA 2012 World Clinic Register Early and SAVE! Coach Don Heidary 20 Michigan’s Coach Ira Klein Jim Richardson Calls it a Career Coach Matt Kredich Swimming World 22 Stanford Announces Coach Steve Morsilli ’s Retirement Coach Jim Tierney After Trials Swimming World Additional Nominations are welcome. To Nominate a coach, once that coach has given approval for their name to be placed, 26 Positive Drive Fins: in nomination, contact Executive Director John Leonard at No Stroke Left Behind [email protected] Please send a brief bio and a brief By the Professionals “statement of purpose” to indicate what the candidate would at FINIS like to work on/achieve on the ASCA Board of Directors.

Nominations are open up to and including 27 Book Review at the ASCA Business meeting.  From Bob Groseth ASCA Newsletter Official ASCA Sponsors Published for the American Swimming Coaches Association by the American Swimming Coaches Council for Sport Development.

Board of Directors President Richard Shoulberg Vice-Presidents Mark Hesse, Tim Murphy Members Jack Bauerle, Mary Anne Gerzanick-Liebowitz, Ira Klein, Matthew Kredich, David Marsh, , , , Chuck Warner, Tim Welsh Executive Committee Steve Morsilli, Jennifer Gibson

ASCA Staff Executive Director and Editor John Leonard Clinics and Job Services Guy Edson TM Finance and Sales Dianne Sgrignoli SwimAmerica Sponsors Membership Services Melanie Wigren Certification Kim Witherington Technical Services and WSCA Matt Hooper Webmaster Hiley Schulte Publications Director Jen Johnson SwimAmericaTM and ALTST Lori Klatt, Julie Nitti Volunteer Proofreader Buddy Baarcke [email protected] General Counsel Richard J. Foster

The Newsletter for Professional Swimming Coaches

A Publication of the American Swimming Coaches Council for Sport Development, American Swimming Magazine (ISSN: 0747-6000) is published by the American Swimming Coaches Association. Membership/subscription price is $70.00 per year (US). International $100.00. Disseminating swimming knowledge to swimming coaches since 1958. Postmaster: Send address changes to: American Swimming Coaches Association 5101 NW 21st Avenue, Suite 200 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 954.563.4930 I Toll Free 1.800.356.2722 I Fax 954.563.9813 swimmingcoach.org I [email protected]

© 2012 American Swimming Coaches Association.

2 Asca Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06 Letter to the Editor

From Hall of Famer Dick Jochums

I read with great interest the the coach may have helped his/her about physical movement, dancers, March newsletter, specifically swimmer with their trip but was military drill instructors, experts your views on the needs for what never the key to it. Credit for both in the physically disadvantaged new coaches need to know and success or failure always belongs to etc., etc., etc. I learned to make also your last view on “aspiring to the swimmer. A coach who learns my swimmers verbally tell me stay the same.” Well said and well to help people with their dream what they were doing, in other done in my view. My wish is that with a really good program can words, once again I made them some of you guys would go back help, but until the swimmer is responsible for the machine to my first presentation in 1974 willing to dream and them make they were going to race with. where I laid out my philosophy, the dream a reality each and every my program, and on what workout, a coach is useless. I promised myself I wouldn’t coaching really should be about. do what I have just done, but what John, as for your son, have him you wrote did inspire me to put A statement that I’ve made understand specificity, the only in my two-bits. Sorry for this. over and over again is that the job proven scientific fact about actual of a coach is to put himself out training that really does work. To Keep up the good work! of business. The swimmer’s trip learn to teach stroke I sat with Jochums is one a good coach is allowed to all kinds of folks to really learn share, and if there is real success, Phelps And The Future Of Swimming

By Craig Lord Swim News — swimnews.com

Much talk of London 2012 Meanwhile, FINA’s executive years now, even though there are marking the retirement of the director Cornel Marculescu has no world records over 4x50m). greatest Olympian in history, been keen to set up a professional Michael Phelps, after the circuit, one that may replace Bodies such as LEN and swimmer told the US TV show the current World Cup, for some FINA were created to champion 60 Minutes: “Once I retire, years now. The time would be ripe standardisation yet today those I’m retiring. I’m done.” in the period between London involved in the running of both 2012 and Rio 2016 to have a organisations prefer to challenge It might be wiser to talk in pro-tour rise from the ashes of the notion and substance of terms of London being only his the current calendar chaos. standardisation by ad-hoc votes Olympic swan song, however, too often held before proper if FINA plans for a professional That there is a mood for change discussion and debate has taken circuit that would lift the sport in the swimming community has place in the forum that counts and its stars into a new financial been obvious for some time, with when it comes to organising world league come to fruition. suggestions for how swimming swimming: FINA. History tells us copuld improve its offer to a wider why LEN sometimes goes about SwimNews understands that audience coming from several its business in that fashion: it is work is in progress to get such a quarters at a time when federations successful, some of the shape- circuit off the ground in time to appear bent on adding to the changing decisions taken at catch the Phelps vs Lochte wave heap with no consideration for continental level later adopted well ahead of Rio 2016. While the need to clear out the clutter. by the international federation. Phelps’s 60 Minutes interview appeared to close the door on his European body LEN succumbed As FINA now considers the mother’s hope of a trip to Rio in of late to the pressure of FINA merits of a pro-tour, it ought 2016, a road show including fat fees having moved its world s/c also to take into account the for the two US giants of the race championships to a regular wider discussion going on in the pool and others at the very pointy December slot and reduced swimming world. In his latest end of the sport, would be the kind its own continental winter s/c newsletter to Australian coaches, of promotion for swimming that showcase from an annual affair Bill Sweetenham, who organises Phelps would be willing to sign up to a championship held every two regular meetings of the leaders of to, according to American sources. years instead. At the same time it all Olympic sports Down Under, voted to add mixed relays to its race calls on the swim community to “He’ll carry on swimming for a schedule even though there is no consider change and be open to it. while after London if the conditions official recognition of such things are right,” one reliable source told in FINA rules (just as there is no Sweetenham writes: “I believe SwimNews. August 4 this year may official recognition for 4x50km world swimming is at a crossroads. well be the end of it all, of course. relays, which have resulted in Even the greatest supporter of And who could blame him if it was... myriad calls to world records for the World Cup concept knows

4 Asca Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06

Phelps And The Future Of Swimming

unconditionally that the ‘use-by’ enjoy by far and away the largest enhanced costumes and sprint date arrived several years ago. The share of the world media exposure based and anaerobic approach World Cups have had their time and and as such have a dominant type training for endurance based they were very productive when all possession of national and global athletes. Coaches across the world nations were enthused about them sponsorship opportunities”. continually tell me that the Y in their early years of operation. generation athlete of today is However, they have grown tired Sweetenham then screams unwilling to do “the work” required with all countries taking a different the danger in the midst of his for endurance based performance.” approach to them with many argument that “Swimming different levels of athlete and in desperately needs to embrace all of He begs to differ and notes various states of preparedness. the above”. The importance of the that he watched the Australian The only advantage World Cups two major events in swimming, the Olympic Trials in March “with now offer is that they can be a tool Olympic Games and FINA World several mixed emotions”. Former for coaches and athletes to gain Long-Course Championships, was mentor to Tracy Wickham, whose experience in performing fast in compromised by the “introduction world championship 400m heats. Given that most do not take of the greatly enhanced high tech free record stood from 1978 to this opportunity, they need to be racing costumes … this easy option 2007, and coach too to Olympic removed but more importantly, appealed to many who still pay champion Michelle Ford in Moscow, replaced with something better.” the price for seeking shortcuts”. Sweetenham added: “In the women’s 800 freestyle, I thought Nor do the World Short-Course He asks his readers whether back to 1977 and 1978 where I Championships truly cut the they feel such booster apparel and coached two young ladies who mustard, Sweetenham believes. the skew of such suits will make would have placed first and second They are, he asserts, “rarely if ever it back into the sport at some in this event at these 2012 Trials. taken seriously by the world’s best point, particularly if commercial athletes and/or the world’s best interests in favour of such things “Not only did these two people teams”, in part because the event hold sway in the shaping of the not enjoy any type of government had long been used as a chance to sport. That would be the wrong or national body funding, they had “blood” young athletes, a trend way to go, Sweetenham suggests. to pay for everything themselves, itself knocked by “the opportunity they wore nylon costumes, very He points to a second danger: to blood new athletes in an over- ordinary cork type lane lines, no “… the overwhelming embracing crowded (and many of them sports science or sports medicine, of the anaerobic or reverse- questionable) amount of meets in very poor nutritional advice, and cycle periodisation approach to terms of number of options with understood that recovery was training all types of athletes”. He the many global youth meets”. something you did in hospital explains: “This increased volume after a major operation. Where do we go from here, and and intensity of short distance, what do we do to take our sport high intensity and very specific “They had no training or forward, asks Sweetenham. race speed and race pace training competition biomechanical exposure has delivered many analysis. They thought that lactate He considers the case of cricket benefits to the sprint fraternity of was something found in milk in Australia, the sport having had world swimming but at a massive but they did have great attitude, to reinvent itself “about every seven cost to the performance of 200 tremendous work ethic, kicked years”. Say Sweetenham: “Re- metre and up events on national adversity and excuses out of inventing and re-branding every and international scenes.” the training environment on a six to eight years is an extremely daily basis, and understood that successful corporate model”. Sweetenham concludes: psychologists were for people “Without being disrespectful to living in nut farms. They produced Swimming has been slow to any coach or any athlete, we have excellence, character and attitude buy into “the concept of being part got it wrong. We don’t want the in massive doses on a daily basis. of the entertainment industry”. new suits. The vast majority of Sports that had “embraced the coaches and athletes are trying to “As a coach and trainer, I combination of the business world prepare the world’s best swimmers understood that I was personally and entertainment world now for 200 metre and up events using accountable and responsible for

6 ASCA Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06 not covered in the Olympic or World Long Course format such as 1,000 metre distance.

“This means removing for “Once I REtire, I’m retiring. these competitions only, the 800 I’m done.” Freestyle for women and 1500 Freestyle for men and replacing them with 1000 metre events for — Michael Phelps both. This world series should include 4X50 Freestyle and medley relays and the 100 IM. These events should vary across a 3 or 4 world series competition format conducted with only a couple of days between them and it could be their strength and conditioning, He then returns to his main based on a limited entry format their psychology, their skills and point. “Will this talent and and on a team points score rather technique and their well-being. commitment be polluted by the than individual gold medals. We trained exceptionally hard and re-introduction of new suits and “It could address an A Final none of them had sore shoulders compromised preparation at and a B Final, rather than a semi- or injuries. Yes, we have moved world long course and Olympic final. Countries could change 4 or on professionally in many areas level? What will our competition 5 swimmers at any of the series but without retaining many and athletes look like in 2024?” in order to address the format. of the positive and significant The USA could be divided into an attributes and values of the past.” Sweetenham’s recommendation is clear: “The appropriate events East Coast team and a West Coast He notes that he also coached contained within the Olympics team. This would provide a great a boy back in those early days and the World Long Course domestic competition for them. It who would have won the 1500m Championships be preserved as would also even up the competition at recent trials with a time from sacred and never be compromised for the rest of the world.” 30-plus years ago, the haunt of due to performance enhanced He emphasises that his Sun Yang and Chinese teammates costumes or drugs (blood doping, initial suggestions for change prepared in Australian - on the etc.) and/or compromised coaching in swimming “may not be the foundation of a strong work ethic which seeks easy options from answer” but calls for debate to shaped by cultural norms under inappropriate training application rage and decisions to be taken. threat in the west these days and to all athletes. I want my “We desperately need change and a not only in sport - to a point beyond grandchildren to be able to join new stimulus so put your thinking the scope of the current generation a programme which continues to caps on and challenge your lateral in that country unmentioned teach and respect the values of thinking. Ask the athletes what but hanging heavy in the air. dedication, commitment and hard they think? They have great work without the temptation of ideas and we should listen.” Sweetenham reflects on the fact shortcuts. I want this to be the that at the Australian age-group main reward that they achieve Sweetenham closes with a championships this year many for being part of the competitive hope: that his letter “stimulates, in the 14-15 group were faster swimming environment.” challenges and encourages than the 16-17 year olds. There is progressive thinking”. a need, he says, to “re-commit to World swimming, he urges, the values of dedicated, committed “must embrace a corporate and FINA should give the man a call and ‘measured’ endurance work entertainment opportunity and re- and get him to a table - alongside and ‘skilled’ aerobic work whilst invent the World Cups and World representatives of the World embracing as well the new Short Course Championships to Swimming Coaches Association developments for sprint based a world series type event which and related bodies such as the swimmers of anaerobic work”. provides opportunity for events American Swimming Coaches

2012 Edition Issue 06 I ASCA Newsletter 7 Phelps And The Future Of Swimming

Association - as it considers the managers who work with them watch,” said Phelps of Rio. “Once next move, the balance between and the sponsorship commitment I retire, I’m retiring. I’m done.” holding hands with corporate and financial rewards that came backers and maintaining a keen about as a result of their talent Bowman put it at 50-50 when sense of responsibility to the sport and dedication to honouring it came to Phelps making it to of swimming and the well-being of that talent, serve as role models London 2012. “It was hard, because the athletes who flow it paramount. for the future of the sport. I didn’t know if the passion or the fire was still inside of me,” Shaping the future purely on On 60 Minutes, Phelps told Phelps told the programme. “And politics and money, particularly the audience: “I’ve been able to go it took awhile for me to actually in the current world climate, will to all these amazing cities in my realise it myself. Bob couldn’t tell no longer do. The FINA director travels and I haven’t been able to me, my mom couldn’t tell me. Marculescu has long sought to see them at all. I see the hotel and They couldn’t help me find it.” balance such things, his record of I see the pool. That’s it. And (after having overseen a massive sea- the Olympics) I’m just going to go He found it and is now in line to change in the professionalisation of and do whatever I want to do.” make the US team once more, an the sport and the financial rewards honour that automatically makes available to the chief protagonists, That may include a role in him a gold-medal contender once the swimmers, one of the big lines a future Pro-Tour, either as a more. How many would he get, written into the book of swimming swimmer or a figurehead and Bowman was asked. “I don’t know,” history these past 30 years. promoter. Debbie Phelps may said the maestro. “That’s up to him.” yet get her wish of being in Rio The suits decision of 2009, the in 2016 - but the seat next to It always has been - and the USA at the helm of the move to her will not only be filled by her rate of delivery has been like no set things right, offers evidence daughter but her son too. “We’ll go other in history, regardless of of how FINA as the world body in what unfolds in London 2012.  charge of the show, understands well the need to keep the beauty and unique nature of swimming alive regardless of the temptations of a fat wallet, real or, as was the case with shiny suits, false.

In one respect, FINA remains out of synch with its parish: performances are perceived and talked of far and wide in the sport in terms of “textile bests”, the need to do that as obvious as the world being round was to those who believed Galileo. The thread of swimming history was severed. There was a way of mending it in quick time. If the current mindset prevails, the world of swim times will remain apparently flat for a while yet.

Phelps, Lochte, and the likes of their respective coaches Bob Bowman and Gregg Troy, are examples of getting that balance right. Their successes in the pool, in life and in terms of the

8 Asca Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06 ASCA Ad BW.pdf 1 7/22/11 3:03 PM

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),1,6)($785('7($06 2VSUH\$TXDWLFVì4XLFNVLOYHUì,QGLDQ5LYHU-XQLRU&ROOHJH ),1,6LQFFRP Topic: High School vs Club Swimming Conflicts or Choice

By Zaq Harrison ASCA Level II & Between Gigs

When I approached John anything. That was a statement mentor. One of my mentors in Leonard about this topic I made by the way and not a question. swimming is a guy, to respect his the mistake of asking him had this privacy, I’ll call Steve. A lifer, as an been properly discussed. I think In my illustrious two seasons I accomplished swimmer he made the answer was along the lines of saw first as a club coach when the it to Olympic Trials finals. His about as often as Madonna changes high school coach made it known real calling is as an educator. I’ve costumes during her shows. that his program took priority, as been with him on deck and he is it was an honor to swim for one’s a special person to be around; he So I’ll pile on and add my school. The following year as a high gets it. Steve was great at hearing two cents. My comments are school coach my elite swimmers me out when I needed to vent. He based on my perceptions and trained at a regional club with a was the one who taught me that experiences. First off I am neither a top coach and it was up to me to there is actually a law on the books distinguished head coach nor am I figure out an accommodation. I in an Eastern state that swimming an exceptionally experienced head am a pretty smart guy, I get to do coaches are not allowed to bring coach on deck. I have at this writing complex equations at work, I am a firearms on deck. For a silly law been a head swim coach exactly one self-declared expert on the world why are 85% of those reading this short course club season and one financial crisis, speak a couple smiling and nodding their heads. separate high school season. Truth languages and actually understand be told I was an age grouper for 12 what it would take to achieve world Steve told me about his years and have a lifelong love of peace. No big deal right, I am going senior year in high school and the sport if that still counts. I have to bridge the gap for my high school the understanding with his high looked hard at my Club and High team and make this work. I decided school coach. Steve would continue School experience as a swimmer to be pragmatic and communicate training with his club and their and later as a coach. I am also a with everyone involved, manage renowned top national coach; he father of an age group swimmer expectations and communicate would come to all of the school who made the transition to High with one clear message. I have to meets. By the end of the season School swimming this year which remind myself at this point that I he was an All-American in several reminds me of the old saying: was the genius who said Shaquille events, State Champ and one of be careful what you wish for. O’Neil (when he left LSU after the top high school swimmers in his sophomore year for the NBA) the country. At his high school Day to day I’m a businessman should stay in school because swim teams award banquet the and an entrepreneur. This is what I he’ll never amount to anything head coach stood up at the end and do and more importantly the prism in the NBA. Boy, was I an idiot. presented the team MVP award, that I see things through. I also surprise, to another swimmer. have been involved in education, We all have our mentors. If you After the banquet the coach pulled coaching and student mentoring are reading this and don’t have a Steve aside and told him he was for the better part of 25 years mentor, make it a priority when the most amazing swimmer he which coincides with most of my you wake up tomorrow and find had ever had swim for him. The adult life. Nice, I’m a great guy but one. Find one, then to make if coach went on to tell him that he what does that have to do with fun don’t tell them they are your

12 Asca Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06

Topic: High School vs Club Swimming Conflicts or Choice

gave the award to the MVP of the is that there is one “girl” (the land) absolutely, so what. High School team and Steve although he swam and there are two “guys” (nations) sports, especially in small towns, meets with the team hadn’t really that want to marry her. While only is about two sophomores who been on the team that year. Steve one guy can marry her, the other never swam in their life deciding got to swim High School States guy want to reach for his shotgun. in English class one day to dare and be an All-American. The coach each other to go out for a high got a great swimmer, a great guy Club swimming has to be school team; why not, it won’t for relays and someone to bring respected. Significant time, energy hurt on their college apps right? attention to the program. That’s and commitment are made here. “Anyone” can go out for the high where it ended. Fair is fair, the kid USA Swimming alone has over school team. In fact throughout who got the MVP that season was 2,500 clubs and 300,000 members. small town America most of the the best swimmer on the “team.” That’s not including non USA High School sports teams are affiliated College, Y, High School, filled with kids who you could The argument has always been summer or independents. For call “anyone.” I coached at a High where is the balance? How can you many of the top coaches this is School like this. High School sports serve two masters and at the same their full time vocation. If you can be a beautiful transformative time do right by the swimmers. are an elite swimmer, chances are experience for students who are There are teenagers often with an you are training with your club learning to navigate in the world. inflated sense of self. Throw in a coach year round. The elite kids Somebody has to speak for them; misguided expectation of potential don’t wake up in the morning someone has to speak for “anyone.” college scholarships. Let us not and look in the mirror and say “I forget the last ingredient, the most want to be mediocre.” The club It reminds me of a Mel venomous creature this side of coaches make commitments for Brooks skit. While playing a the Black Mamba, the parents. It years and even decades. Many judge Mel Brooks hears what is easy to see why John Leonard have significant financial stakes the first complainant says and laughed at me when I asked if in the running of their clubs; looks at him “you’re right.” Then this topic had been thoroughly it is their profession. Let’s be the second complainant speaks discussed before. My bad. honest, our Olympic athletes come and Mel looks at him and says from our clubs. Enough said. “you’re right.” I once jumped off I tried to keep this light knowing a rock ledge into a water filled that swim coaches are split into two High School swimming has to quarry from 45 feet. Young and groups. The really serious ones and be respected. For the handful of foolish (is there any other way) the ones who have been exposed teenage athletes left who are not I jumped. 45 feet is high enough to too much chlorine. You know going pro in some sport there is an to realize immediately I made a these guys, the ones who have amazing social experience that is huge mistake. 45 feet is also high their seniors do racing starts in the unique to American culture. High enough to have a very long time to shallow end with 2 ½ feet of water School Sports. The rest of the world think about this terrible mistake (“we always did this and nobody is built on sports clubs. European all the way down. Here I go… ever died”). Let’s get serious. basketball and soccer are the perfect examples. I’ve participated Topic: High School vs. Club The answer is as simple as it in sports overseas as an athlete Swimming, conflict or choice? Yes is complex. I lived in Israel for 11 and a coach. Clubs are efficient and and yes. Elite swimmers, those who years. I speak the language and cost effective in dispersing limited are your USA Swimming ranked, understand the cultures. I am funds to the general sporting Y National finalists or even high often asked what in my humble public in most countries. Clubs are school state finalists and will be opinion will solve the “conflict.” a machine that gives maximum Division 1 scholarship athletes In case you haven’t watched CNN reach of one message. They are also should be swimming in their clubs or FOX recently, there is this tribal and tend to appeal to specific if they have this option. They have thing called the “Arab-Israeli sub-groups in their societies. somewhere to go which is the Conflict.” Impossible, I say. Is peace next level. We shouldn’t punish impossible? No, me being humble High School sports are about these student athletes nor should is impossible, peace is a different “Friday Night Lights.” It is about their schools reward them. We matter. My answer is pretty your letter jacket. The quarterback should hold them accountable to Appalachian. The problem in Israel dating the cheerleader. Campy, their choices and treat them as

14 ASCA Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06 adults. This is where they will get To the Club coaches: you to see the forest between the trees the training they need and have have as much or as little time and help guide our teams and our committed to. Their commitment as the swimmers want to make swimmers to the right decisions. should be commended. a commitment. Your swimmers Sometimes the right decision may may start with you when they be for the High School swimmer Topic: High School vs. Club are four or maybe even fourteen. to sit our of the club during the Swimming, conflict or choice? Yes Many of you have short course hich school season. Other times and yes. High School programs have and long course rolling one after the right decision may be for the the responsibility to be autonomous another. You tend to be passionate club swimmer to sit out of the of meddling and manipulation by and have made a commitment to High School season. Both Club club coaches, elite swimmers and your profession. You have skin in and High School have their place their parents. These programs are the game and unlike many High and their roles when their needs about personal development not School coaches who may only be do not mesh should be respected. active rest sets. These programs are head coach the one season a year, Sometimes you just have to choose about teenagers being allowed to you are there all year round. You and live with the results. There grow and learn the right lessons of brought those high school kids is nothing wrong with that. how the difference between success up from eight year olds who were and failure can be gleamed through still peeing in the pool and then If we do our job, somewhere effort and heart. Thirty years after rightly so raise your eyebrows down the line, years or decades I graduated from high school I when you are expected to hand from now, we might get a tap on don’t remember my times nor how your prodigies off to another the shoulder on a random day in a many meets we won. I do remember coach who usually does not have random place. We will turn around the bus trips, the friendships and the background nor the facilities and look into the eyes of a middle the camaraderie of representing you have. That is a lot to ask. aged adult with a few kids in tow. my school and community. We will recognize the eyes from To the High School coaches I somewhere but can’t put a finger on To the elite club swimmer: if say stand your ground. Protect it exactly. This person will look at you want to swim High School and your kids, all of them. Look at you and say “Coach, I thought that take the benefits then you have the calendar; on average you have was you. I want to introduce you to to surrender yourself to the team four months, about sixteen weeks my kids. I have been telling them during the four month season. start to finish. That is not much for years about this wonderful There is a team dynamic in Club time to teach, train, motivate, person who made such an impact swimming but the emphasis is on correct and taper. Your job is to be in my life. I tell my kids I was a the individual. That is the nature the team coach not the personal terrible swimmer but I always of our sport. You have a choice to coach of the All-American who gave everything I had. Coach, you be on a High School team, it is not is helping you win meets. You told me that if I do that the rest of a constitutionally-protected right. are the steward of a really neat my life I will succeed beyond my Therefore compromise is on you. thing. Ninety plus percent of our wildest imagination. The other If you choose to be on the team swimmers will never compete on kids called me an “anyone” because be prepared to sacrifice and give an elite level. They swim because anyone with a pulse could have 100% of yourself to the team. That they love to and because of the filled my lane with the times I is the experience. Please don’t try friendships. High School swimming swam. Coach, I just may have been to adjust or manipulate the team is the reward for sticking around. the slowest swimmer you ever around you because you happen Kind of like the High School dance had but you always treated me to be All-State or All-American. that always seems to end with like I was your All-American. You In 30 years nobody will care if either “Freebird” or “Stairway to don’t know but I was in a tough you were an All-American in the Heaven.” If you waited to the end spot and you gave me a safe place pool, but they will remember you got to hold your date through I could call my own. Thank you.” if you were a jerk out of the a great song that lasted forever. pool. That much I promise. Club is about “me,” High School The conflict between High is about “we.” They both have a School and Club is self destructive. place, just be honest about it.  It is up to us as individual coaches

2012 Edition Issue 06 I ASCA Newsletter 15

Michigan’s Jim Richardson Calls it a Career Swimming World

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, May “We are grateful for the passion, champion, Ann Colloton, was 16. UNIVERSITY of Michigan enthusiasm and dedication that named the Michigan Athlete of head coach Jim Richardson Jim has provided to our women’s the Decade for the 1980s. He announced Wednesday (May 16) swimming program over the past mentored 162 NCAA All-Americans his retirement after 27 seasons at 27 years,” said Dave Brandon, the and an additional 223 honorable the helm of the women’s swimming Donald R. Sheppard Director of mention All-Americans. program. The fourth coach in Athletics. “Jim worked hard to the history of the program, mold our young women into some Richardson was an ardent Richardson will remain with the of the finest swimmers in the believer in the success of the Wolverines through June 30. conference and in the nation. He student-athlete. He had 141 placed an even higher emphasis on swimmers earn Academic All- “It has been a privilege and academics and made sure that his Big Ten honors and 62 student- honor to serve as the women’s swimmers were prepared for the athletes received College Swimming swimming coach at the University life that followed after competition. Coaches Association of America of Michigan,” said Richardson. We thank Jim for his dedicated (CSCAA) All-Academic or honorable “Michigan is truly one of the great service and wish him the very best mention honors. Richardson’s institutions in the world and to in his well-deserved retirement.” teams earned CSCAA national be a part of the development of all-academic recognition every young women has been my sole Richardson led the Wolverines season from 1992-2012; every purpose. Stefanie Kerska has to 14 Big Ten championships season that it has been awarded. been the best assistant coach that during his 27 seasons, including Individually, athletes Kim any coach could ever hope for. a record-setting 12 consecutive Johnson and Mindy Gehrs won the Twice in the past year she took crowns from 1987-98. The 12 prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor over the role of head coach, and straight conference titles are a and six of Richardson’s athletes has proven she is one of the best Big Ten record among women’s received NCAA Postgraduate assistants in the country. It was a sports teams. He also added league Scholarships: Johnson, Gehrs, special relationship for 26 years championships in 2001 and 2004. Alecia Humphrey, Anne Kampfe, that Stefanie and I had, and I look Richardson had student-athletes Rachel Gustin and Jen Crisman. forward to maintaining that long earn 168 Big Ten individual titles. into the future. To be able to work His coaching achievements with , Bob Bowman, At the national level, coupled with the respect of his Mike Bottom, Fernando Canales Richardson’s teams placed in the peers have earned Richardson and all of the wonderful staff at top 10 during 14 of his 27 seasons, various national honors. He was Michigan has been a great joy. I am including a second-place finish at named the 1993 and 1995 NCAA looking forward to what God has the 1995 NCAA Championships. Coach of the Year and is a six-time planned for me in this next stage Richardson had five individual honoree as the Big Ten Swimming of life. I will always be a fan and national champions and one relay Coach of the Year. Richardson also supporter of Michigan Athletics.” win a title during his tenure. served as an assistant coach for the In fact, the school’s first NCAA United State in the 1993, 1995 and 1999 World University Games.

20 ASCA Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06 Richardson had 45 swimmers compete at the Olympic Trials during his tenure.

He compiled a 175-77 overall record (.694) during his career, including a 114-25 mark (.820) in conference dual meets. Richardson’s squads won 33 straight dual meets from 1987 to midway through the 1990 season. He led his teams to undefeated seasons in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1994.

Richardson arrived in Ann Arbor in 1985 after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa.

He received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University in 1971 and attended graduate school at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Richardson is a member of United States Swimming and the American Swimming Coaches Association. He previously served on the Board of Directors as President of the CSCAA and was a member of the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Committee. He authored two bylaws that are currently in the NCAA manual.

Richardson resides in Ann Arbor with his wife, Mary Sue. They have four children and three grandchildren.

Michigan will begin a national search for Richardson’s successor immediately. 

2012 Edition Issue 06 I ASCA Newsletter 21 Stanford Announces Skip Kenneys Retirement After Trials Swimming World

STANFORD, California, May 16. ONE of the most respected coaches in the world of swimming, Stanford’s Goldman Family Director of Men’s Swimming, Skip Kenney, 69, announced his retirement today following 33 years at the helm of the Cardinal program.

Kenney will coach the Cardinal through the U.S. Trials, ending July 2.

“Who would have ever have thought it? I grew up in California and in Fresno, went to Long Beach State and Stanford was always the big name.” said Kenney. “We exceeded all levels of expectation. The kind of people you get to work with here, the athletes that come through here. You pinch yourself when you are really here. It’s just unbelievable.”

To understand Kenney’s impact on the sport, it goes beyond the seven NCAA titles or 31-straight Pac-10/12 titles, the 1086 All- America certificates or 72 NCAA champions. The three-time Olympic coach also produced 20 of his own Olympians, which won a combined 18 medals from 1984 through 2008. But that still doesn’t tell the whole story.

“Coach Kenney is one of the iconic figures in college swimming and he has had a profound impact in shaping the lives of hundreds of young men,” said Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics

22 Asca Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06

Stanford Announces Skip Kenneys Retirement After Trials

Bob Bowlsby. “Skip has always “When I think of swimming, the 1979, has survived because of his been a coach that put the team 10 things that are most important athletes, who routinely come back, first and in doing so, he has to me, all 10 come from Stanford,” most notably during the Pac-12 taught lifetime lessons about said Olympic Gold medalist Jay and NCAA Championships, to root how to weave the fabric of a Mortenson. “The Olympic gold on their team first, coach second. high achieving organization. The medal is a good distance behind.” Stanford Men’s Swimming Program The Stanford Magazine article under Coach Kenney’s guidance As former swimmer, Adam put it best from Kenney when he has established many standards Messner noted in a Stanford said, “I rely on the alums for some that will never be equaled in Magazine feature six years of the decisions we make on the the PAC 12 or nationally” ago, “A generation-spanning team. Think of it: most of them community of swimmers and were in swimming for 18 years. His teams made NCAA history. former swimmers would all And the last four of those years No other team has finished fourth ‘lie down in traffic for him,’” they were surrounded by all this or better at every NCAA meet from other great talent. Why waste all 1982 to 2012. And conference There are certain traditions that that knowledge and experience?” history, too. The 31-straight titles likely will continue-- the passing crushed John Wooden’s UCLA down of a pair of sweats from the Kenney never swam team record of 14-straight titles 1967 NCAA championship team, competitively. The Fresno native in 1995. Wooden was on deck that given annually to the teammate graduated from Long Beach State day to honor that accomplishment. with the best team spirit; or in 1972. He was an assistant for the annual run around campus the 49ers from 1968 to 1971 and “These athletes are so bright, in their Speedos and running also coached at Harvard from so dedicated and I don’t know shoes; or the gloves of 1993 1971 to 1972. For the next seven how you describe it,” said Kenney. graduate Chas Morton, for the years he coached AAU teams in “They are just really, really good swimmer with the best leap from Houston (1972-76) and Cincinnati people. Most of them have dual to championship season. (1979). A former Marine, he leadership skills, which means served in Vietnam and went to they care about their teammates.” Every New Year’s Day, swimmers then California State College, went to the Veteran’s Hospital to Long Beach, on the GI Bill. Individually, he was a six- watch football with the residents. time NCAA coach of the year Kenney was especially fond of Kenney was hired by athletics and 20-time Pac-10 coach of the the veterans from the Greatest director Andy Geiger to replace year. In 2004 he was inducted Generation, and what they the retiring Jim Gaughran. into the International Swimming could pass on to his athletes. Hall of Fame and in 2005 the Compare and contrast Kenney’s American Swim Coaches Hall of His swimmers have also tried to impact on the program. When Fame. He is also a member of the get out of practice, by singing the he got the job at Stanford, the Fresno Athletics and Stanford Marines’ Hymm on the Marines Cardinal had won one national Athletics Halls of Fame. birthday. It sometimes works. title (1967) and finished third another three times from 1936 to His coaching position was Kenney was looking up at his 1980. Under Kenney, the Cardinal also endowed, courtesy of wall of NCAA champions, recently were third or better, 27 times. the Goldman Family in 2011, and said, “That’s why I’ve been here. From 1916 to his arrival in 1979, mostly because of his efforts. It is how much each individual Stanford had won 31 conference athlete cared and wanted to titles. In his 33 years, he won 31. Equally impressive is the fact make their teammate better. You that 100 percent of his athletes saw it over and over. They would The Cardinal finished sixth have graduated, including 10 which say, let me stay after practice to in the Pac-10 his first season. were Academic All-Americans-- look at your stroke, let me look Three years later they were Pac- including Olympians Pablo underwater and look how you’re 10 champions for the first time, Morales, , pulling. It went on for years.” and finished third at the NCAA and Ben Wildman-Tobriner. meet. By 1985, he won the first That culture, which Kenney first of three-straight NCAA titles. built when he came to The Farm in He won another three-straight

24 ASCA Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06 NCAA titles from 1992-94. He won his last NCAA title in 1998. His teams have finished as NCAA Kenney By the Numbers runners-up another seven times. Years at Stanford: 33 (1979-2012) His teams also set the standard NCAA Titles: 7 in swimming. The 1992 NCAA champions set the meet record with Conference Titles: 31 (all in a row) 632 points, with a record 276 points Top-Three NCAA Finishes: 27 (never lower than fourth) over second place Texas. That team NCAA Coach of the Year: 6 set seven American records, as the Cardinal were the first-ever team Pac-10 Coach of the Year: 20 to sweep all five relays. The 1998 All-Americans: 134 team became the first NCAA team Top-16 Individual Finishes: 1086 to produce a swimmer in every A final of an individual swim event NCAA Champions: 72 or relay. His first NCAA champion, Olympians: 20 in 1985, paced by Olympians Pablo Olympic Medals: 18 Morales, John Moffett and , won eight events. Morales, CoSIDA Academic All-Americans: 10 a sophomore at the time, won three Graduation Rate: 100 Percent of his 11 NCAA titles that year.

An Olympic coach as well, he was an assistant for Team USA in Stanford Olympians Under Kenney 1984 and 1988 and was the head (1984, 1992) men’s coach in Atlanta in 1996. He was also a U.S. National coach at Jeff Kostoff (1984, 1988) the Pan-American, Pan-Pacific and (1992, 1996) other world championship events. (1992, 1996) The 20 Olympians also Eddie Parenti (1992, 1996) included two walk-ons — Ryan Siobhan Cropper (1996, 2000) Grote and Tom Wilkens, maybe the ultimate testament to his Markus Rogan (2004, 2008) athletes’ commitment from start (1984) to finish. The record books are now filled with his athletes. The Anthony Mosse (1984) Stanford top-15 is entirely Kenney- David Sims (1984) coached athletes. His legacy is Sean Murphy (1988) set, but his teams will live on. Jason Plummer (1988) “Skip will leave a long- Kurt Grote (1996) lasting legacy of leadership and excellence from his incredible Ray Carey (1996) career here at Stanford,” said Tom Wilkens (2000) senior associate athletics director Ben Wildman-Tobriner (2008) and swim administrator Earl Koberlein. “He not only won David Dunford (2008) championships, but he produced Jason Dunford (2008) great men. To paraphrase Phillip Morrison (2008) many of his former student- athletes, “He made us better Tobias Oriwol (2008) men, husbands and fathers”.” 

2012 Edition Issue 06 I ASCA Newsletter 25 Positive Drive Fins: No Stroke Left Behind

By the Professionals at FINIS

In a workout, sometimes being the PDFs create localized traction IM Set #1 a breaststroker feels like being the for a safer general workout while redheaded stepchild. They can feel still producing the same forward 3 sets of [4 x 75s] – 10 ostracized from the crowd. Even propulsion as short blade fins. seconds rest after each 75 if breaststrokers live on the same These fins also have an open foot - 25 Fly, 25 Back, 25 Breast axle rotation as their cousin ,the pocket to allow full flexion for butterflyer, the breaststroke kick breaststroke kicking. PDFs and - 25 Back, 25 Breast, 25 Free requires bent legs; using a pull buoy similar fins are considered safer while doing breaststroke just seems for breaststroke because of the - 25 Breast, 25 Free, 25 Fly awkward, and let’s face it, a lot of uniquely designed blade whereas people just think you are out for short blade fins can stress joints by - 25 Free, 25 Fly, 25 Back a stroll when you swim. However, putting pressure on wrong areas. the real kicker is how excluded IM Set #2 swimmers feel when it comes time PDFs are a wise option for to put on fins for a kicking set. swimmers who like a variety 4 x 200s IM – 20 seconds Breaststrokers are immediately in their workout, like masters rest after each 200 banned from breaststroke kick. swimmers. They generate enough - 50 Fly kick, 50 Fly swim, While teammates work their propulsion for swimmers to 50 Back kick, 50 Back swim flutter and fly kicks to build work on technique without the cramped feeling of fins that rub more strength, what are the - 50 Back kick, 50 Back and cause occasional blisters. The breaststrokers to do? You suppose swim, 50 Breast kick, adjustable, open heel strap offers that they will just have to resort 50 Breast swim to fly kick for the sole purpose to a secure and customized fit that work on that one pump allowed allow for a natural feel in the - 50 Breast kick, 50 during the underwater pull down, water. The fins are also ideal for Breast swim, 50 Free right? Not anymore. There are all ability levels and are preferred kick, 50 Free swim fins out there that are safe for by those who want to work on all four strokes, like the Positive building power and momentum - 50 Free kick, 50 Free swim, Drive Fins (PDF) from FINIS. in their breaststroke kick. 50 Fly kick, 50 Fly swim

Although all swimmers should PDFs are easy to put on and No longer do breaststrokers take precaution when using any adjustable with the solid rubber have to feel ostracized during your fin while doing breaststroke kick, tubing. The elliptical blade creates workout. FINIS is the technical there is a big difference from short traction through the water leader in swimming products and blade fins as opposed to those with and focuses on proper kicking the PDFs are proof of it. PDFs an elliptical blade. Short blade fins technique. PDFs are perfect for and other technical products encourage short, fast kicks and IM-focused workouts to drive the to help your swimmers swim are great for speed work and sets legs and work on stroke transitions. smarter are available for purchase  that increase the swimmer’s heart Below are two great sets to get online at FINISinc.com. rate. On the other hand, fins like the most out of the PDFs:

26 ASCA Newsletter I 2012 Edition Issue 06 Book Review From Bob Groseth

John,

I know you like to give out book suggestions. I just finished a good one. Ignorance: How it Drives Science. Author is Stuart Firestein.

This book reminds me of how we treat training. We all know that our training model is a blunt instrument. The good ones delve into that dark area of the unknown to find out what works. Others using data and statistics (we use what we can measure) to back their arguments stick with what is currently working or copy what the latest champion is doing. This book inspires scientists (and hopefully coaches) to go into the areas of the unknown to find new and better ways of doing things. I recommend reading the first 6 chapters. After that it gets more into the author’s personal journey and recommendations for educational and scientific research policy.

Fairly short and a good read “The future ain’t what it used to be.” -Yogi Berra.

Bob Groseth, Executive Director College Swimming Coaches Association of America

2012 Edition Issue 06 I ASCA Newsletter 27

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