Hall of Fame Swim Coach Don Swartz Dies In Costa Rica, Aged 79

Hall of Fame swim coach Don Swartz died earlier this week whereas on trip in Costa Rica from problems associated to the flu. Word first reached California, the place he was a coach with North Bay Aquatics, on Thursday.

Swartz was 79 years previous.

The program’s head coach Max Byers posted a notice on the team website on Thursday that read, in part:

“I’ve few phrases proper now as I try to course of what has occurred. After his household, Don’s biggest love in life was his swim group and the good tradition that he helped create. He liked each the youth and Masters as if we too have been a part of his household.

There will definitely be extra to say as Don’s passing turns into extra actual. Right now there may be primarily unhappiness and shock.”

The group canceled follow on Saturday in wake of the information.

Swartz was a 2013 inductee to the American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He started his teaching profession in 1967 at Ladera Oaks Aquatic Club in Northern California, and after a short cease in Davis, turned the top coach of the Marin Aquatic Club.

From 1970 to 1976, he constructed the group into an influence, teaching a number of swimmers to Olympic and World Championship groups. That included teaching Rick DeMont when, in 1973, he turned the primary individual to interrupt the 4 minute barrier within the 400 meter free on the World Championships in Belgrade.

He was a coach on the 1975 World Championship employees amongst a number of different worldwide journeys with Team USA.

An early pioneer on the psychological aspect of teaching, in 1977 he based the Creative Performance Institute and labored with coaches and athletes on instructing the psychological aspect of the game, together with aim setting, threat taking, visualization, and anxiousness administration.

He rejoined the teaching world in 2005 with North Bay Aquatics, the place upon his dying he was a coach of the senior group and Masters group.

Tributes to Swartz poured out from across the swimming group on Thursday as information unfold. Vern Glenn, the sports activities director for the Bay Area’s CBS affiliate, mentioned that Swartz was ‘everything’ to his sons Zack and Nicky.

“His wisdom, wit, insight and presence were all his super powers,” Glenn wrote on Instagram, sharing a video of an interview with Swartz.

David Marsh, a fellow ASCA Hall of Famer, posted of Swartz’s passing.

In “retirement” Don coached youngsters every single day for his beloved group —North Bay Aquatics.

Don educated all of us on THE most essential components of the teaching occupation. Who might neglect his keynote speech American Swimming Coaches Association – “The Quantum Leap”: perception, the inexperienced persons thoughts, and influence on human beings. Praying for Don’s household, group and mates.

A recreation of that speech could be heard under on ASCA’s YouTube Channel:

Swartz, together with North Bay Aquatics coach Ken DeMont, maintained a weblog on numerous teaching subjects that serves as a legacy to Swartz’s career-long dedication to the ‘soft skills’ of the game.