This is the time of the year that newsletters begin addressing the nominations for your LMSC Coach of the Year.
These annual awarded coaches are then submitted as nominations for the USMS Coach of the Year Award.
Believe it or not, many years, no coaches are even nominated and the LMSC committees have to return to the membership and plead for nominations!
Take a few moments and consider your coach. Or a coach in your LMSC. Or perhaps even your "virtual coach" from this very USMS Discussion Forum.
Last year, I happened to be at the Regional Championships for both the PMS and SPMA when their Coach of the Year Awards were announced.
The Coaches Chair for the PMS, Chris Campbell, did an exceptional job in presenting the 2008 Pacific Masters Swim Coach, Laureen Welting.
He asked the entire crowd in attendance to come forward and sit or stand around the pool deck.
The presentation did not begin until everyone was present and quietly attentive.
Coach Laureen Welting of The Olympic Club received her very deserved recognition and everyone present felt a part of the celebration.
My hope is that each of you will help drive a great year for recognizing your USMS Masters Coaches for all they offer.
Even if it is only unlocking the gate at 5:45am every morning so that you can swim.
Or perhaps, launching you into your best masters swimming year ever!
Take a few moments and appreciate your coach. It will be worth every second of your time.
My coach, Matt Wilson is a God sent. He is the Aquatics Director at the YMCA where I am a member. I found out when he came to the Y that he was a former Clemson swimmer. I live in a small town in Maryland where there are NO Master's swim teams any where in the area...I introduced myself and begged that he coach me.
We currently have....THREE members on our team. He coaches us twice per week at no charge.
Seriously, give this guy a wake up call and pick him!
He has so much talent and needs to be coaching a big Master's team!!!
At the risk of a thread hijack, I'd like to posit the thought that you might have the seed to a bigger team right there. The one factor that we've been able to identify as a success indicator in Masters Swimming programs around the country is the presence and involvement of a coach. Some one who takes responsibility for the hours offered and provides creative, and productive practices. Someone who works with swimmers of all abilities to help them achieve their goals and create swimmers for life.
Sounds like you've already got that guy!
With a regular schedule, a little promotion, and some help from the Y and your LMSC, you could make your group of three into 20 in a few weeks. Swimmers come out of the woodwork when word of a good coach in the area gets around. Don't be afraid to let the triathletes know either.
Building a nice team around a coach is a good way to recognize him too!
My coach, Matt Wilson is a God sent. He is the Aquatics Director at the YMCA where I am a member. I found out when he came to the Y that he was a former Clemson swimmer. I live in a small town in Maryland where there are NO Master's swim teams any where in the area...I introduced myself and begged that he coach me.
We currently have....THREE members on our team. He coaches us twice per week at no charge.
Seriously, give this guy a wake up call and pick him!
He has so much talent and needs to be coaching a big Master's team!!!
At the risk of a thread hijack, I'd like to posit the thought that you might have the seed to a bigger team right there. The one factor that we've been able to identify as a success indicator in Masters Swimming programs around the country is the presence and involvement of a coach. Some one who takes responsibility for the hours offered and provides creative, and productive practices. Someone who works with swimmers of all abilities to help them achieve their goals and create swimmers for life.
Sounds like you've already got that guy!
With a regular schedule, a little promotion, and some help from the Y and your LMSC, you could make your group of three into 20 in a few weeks. Swimmers come out of the woodwork when word of a good coach in the area gets around. Don't be afraid to let the triathletes know either.
Building a nice team around a coach is a good way to recognize him too!
