Newspaper story on a masters team

Originally posted by Sabretooth Tiger "Sounds like a jerk" . . ??? Give me a break . . . it sounds like his team loves him (stockholm syndrome perhaps?) and they have bonded as a team. He sounds like a great coach and it sounds like a great team . . . not for everybody, but who cares. Those swimmers sound like a good and lucky bunch to me. Let those who don't want to compete swim somewhere else . . . who says that teams/coaches have to be all things to all people? Just those who want to pack the pool with swimmers, keep it crowded and maximize income. Your break is granted. I guess I just don't think you need to be a jackass to be succesful as a coach.

I guess "jack ass" is in the eyes of the beholder . . . I saw nothing in the article to warrant that type of label.

This comes after Coach starts practice with not a congratulatory speech for another meet victory but discussing how swimmers in the breaststroke and relays were disqualified. He singles out individuals for not paying attention, calls their technique "sad, just sad" and is described by team members as cantankerous. Whoever cannot handle the competitiveness leaves. There is no other choice. "They follow my rules or else," Coach says. Those are my reasons. It is also noted that he does some rather nice things for the team but hey, I stand by my description.

Originally posted by knelson The article gave me the impression he takes swimming seriously and is only interested in working with swimmers who feel the same way. Nothing wrong with that, in my book. Hard to know without having swum for him, but it seems to me "hard ass" might be appropriate, but probably not "jackass." Nothing wrong with it at all. If everbody is happy then there is no issue, nobody is being forced to listen to the guy. However, it does not change the fact that his personality is coarse and abrasive at the very least.

It would be my guess that most programs (especially those outside of swimming hotbeds like California) cannot afford to turn the revenue away contributed by swimmers who want to be on a Masters swim team, but do not want to compete in Masters swimming competition. I know that in our club we are comprised of approximately 25 swimmers that roughly break down as follows: Compete in Masters swim meets (including open water) only: 10 Compete in Triathlons only: 7 Compete in Both: 1 Do not compete at all: 7 As it is, we have to share our 8 lane, 25 yd. pool with local high school teams, water exercise and/or lap swimmers to remain afloat financially. We try to subtly influence those swimmers who do not want to compete, by letting them know how much fun the meets and post meet get togethers can be. We are slowly winning them over. There are plenty of other options for swimmers who do not want to compete, but rather than chasing them away with ultimatums, we choose to do what we can to grow the sport 1 swimmer at a time. I doubt that Mr. Fetter's policy brings in alot of new swimmers, but probably somewhat enhances the experience of existing competitive swimmers by increasing the importance of the competition itself. Whatever...it sounds like it works for them and as long as the area has other options for those who do not want to compete then who can gripe?

I prefer to remind myself that reporters are going to select the facts and present them in such a way to make for a compelling "story" (to use the newspaper term). I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me if the competitive side of Coach Fetters is mentioned more often in the article than it actually comes in to play as he coaches his team. One fact in the article I do know is over the top is the statement, "Beaufort has won every long course meet since 1993 and every short course meet, held in February, since 1995." Local meets, yes, but I don't believe Beaufort has won it's team division at USMS Nationals every year since 93 for LCN or 95 for SCN. So, consider the author an inexpert opinion, and give Coach Fetters the benefit of the doubt. Talking to people about DQs is entirely appropriate, regardless of the meet's outcome. That sounds like a coach who is passionate about people swimming well, and not on winning the meet. I will say his emphasis on painful workouts does strike me as a bit "old school" (which should come as no surprise considering Coach Fetters earned his bones as a coach in the mid-late 60s). That has pluses and minuses for a Masters program. Same/same his insistence that everyone swim in meets. On the one hand, we're adults and we should decide when we're ready for competition, and there is nothing wrong with saying you don't care to do so. On the other, meets are a terrific way to focus your fitness routine and introduce some variety to the same ole/same ole workout routine. The fastest masters team I ever joined, the only one where I was slower than the median swimmer, barely even made a ripple in the local meet scene, let alone Nationals, because 99% of the team (including almost all of the butt-kickers) never showed for any meets. That can be frustrating for both the other swimmers and the coaches, and I can see a desire to say to everyone you must swim in this meet to be on our team. If everyone knows what they are getting into, it's fine & dandy. However, I don't think Coach Fetters' approach is a prescription for other teams to copy in toto. Matt

For me, it is better to have the fast guys there to train with and not compete than not at all. In the past year I have gone through stetches where I did not have fast guys to race with in practice and times where I have. By far I have had the most improvements and the most fun when I get to "compete" in practice. By not having those guys there, I think it limits the whole team. Kevin

How the article is written, the coach does sound a little tough for Master's, but a lot of that could just be journalistic spin. Like the thing about the workouts being tough - if the journalist is a non-swimmer, the workouts could actually be pretty average and just 'look' hard. It sounds like his coaching style is great for some people, but could be inappropriate for many others.

Originally posted by Matt S ....I will say his emphasis on painful workouts does strike me as a bit "old school".... No brain, no pain.

My first college coach would throw tennis bals at you to get your attention if he wanted to tell you something. He was also my boss at lifeguarding. One night while I was getting undresses, my roommate freaked out becasue I had all of these really bright red welts on my back. At the tiem, I was really glad I didn't have a bad backstroke!