Christmas wishes and stories of those who coached you

I was youngster at the YMCA when Tom (lifeguard/coach) stopped the free-swim and cleared the pool. He yelled at me to come see him. I was about 7 or 8 and scared to death until he demanded that I race him across the pool (he needed a breaststroker for his team). He made it look like he was trying and let me beat him (I thought I was tough doo-doo). I pleaded with my mom to let me join and a lot of friendships and memories started there (Margie and I kissing under the old piano - for one). Thanks Tom wherever you are and God Bless. My high school Coach Jim was just a nice guy who stood on a bench yelling at us to swim faster. He didn't know anything about stroke technique but he gave us as much yardage as he could and we won the first City Leauge championship for our high school. I still see my teammates and get together as often as we can. Thanks Jim My Junior College Coach was my hero. He used sarcasim a lot and I was one of the guys that loved to hear his jabs and he was an expert. A few guys didn't appreciate his comments but I was adddicted to them. Our second year we took second at the JC Nationals but our Christmas trips to the Hall of Fame Pool for winter break workouts were great memories. One trip I was too beat to go out and party with team, everyone was going out but me, I was puke-tired. Dave told me that I should go and have some fun. I told him I couldn't move (the previous practice had so many fly repeats it nearly killed me). He said "you'll never remember the sleep that you're going to get but tonight you may be missing a memory of a real good time with your friends". I got up and went and he was right. I have memories that pop-up right now that are awesome. Thanks Dave My Central Michigan coach Jerry was a technician. His practices catered to every individual. I was a walk-on and for almost 45 minutes I sat in his office and wouldn't leave until he'd let me try out. He almost called security but gave me two weeks to prove myself. My final semester he told me (during a practice) he found enough money to give be tuition and books. I swam for almost two years without a scholarship and his fastest breaststroker and co-captain of the team finally got some money. He was a awesome human being. Thanks Jerry. I want to give thanks to the other people who molded me into the coach I am Mom, Dad and my brothers and sister My teammates Butch George Thanks and Happy Holidays