AASC thanks these sponsors of 50 Years of Memories: 1956-2006

Consumers Energy

Different Strokes

Knox Presbyterian Church

Legacy Printing

Speedo

Coaches' Perspective: Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future

By Josh Morgan, AASC Co-Head Coach

When I started coaching, every practice was important. Every meet was important. Every swim was under my microscope. Every result of every event, every laugh or tear, every parents' smile or question was important.

Some who seemed hopelessly uncoordinated as eight-year-olds are now phenomenal 13-14 or Open swimmers. Some have yet to reach the success they desperately desire. Some have success and don't understand how lucky they are.

Some have parents who record every split of every race; some have parents who barely know the difference between butterfly and breaststroke. Some have parents who are involved with the day-to-day operations of the club; some have parents who won't take them to practice and believe they're wasting time. All different perspectives on life and swimming, all in the same pools, all on the same team.

Our People Are Our Heritage

This season, Ann Arbor Swim Club will see over 300 young people at our practices, from five-year-old novices who can barely swim a length of the pool to national-caliber athletes. Just last year, that number was closer to 200 athletes. Ten years ago, 150 or so. Fifty years ago, less than 50 athletes. All with different perspectives on how AASC affected their lives.

It has been enlightening to read the memories that have been posted on this site from AASC swimmers and coaches of the recent and less recent past. I hope that you have all taken the time to read those memories and thoughts. The common thread for these athletes is the bond they created with their teammates, coaches and competitors. They remember the lessons they learned through trials of the body, mind and spirit. We are no different than they. The young athletes that make up the team make the team great. The memories, tears and laughter create the fabric of our history as much as our records and achievements.

AASC 12 and Unders with Coaches Ohm and Morgan on deck: Our people are our heritage.

Today's Swim Climate

Swimming in Ann Arbor is on the rise. Success breeds success. Our roster numbers have increased annually for the past five years without fail. Before the 2004 Summer Olympics, AASC consisted of around 150 swimmers, including fall, winter, spring and summer sessions. Every Olympic year, we expect an increase in fall enrollment. Swimming on TV is inspiring, without doubt. We saw that increase in 2004 and jumped up to around 180 swimmers. In 2005, our numbers continued to grow. We were at 190 swimmers for the short-course season alone, and ended up with around 215 athletes after long-course season. Thus far in 2006, AASC is running at around 235 swimmers with long-course season yet to come. We anticipate a final number near 300.

"And what exactly is (AASC) today? The best age group program in the state and one of the top 50 in the nation, as well as a collection of some of the best people I have had the pleasure of being around in my 34 years."

Dan Ohm, AASC Head Coach

These increases do not reflect our developmental swimming program in specific number, but are a result of its success. If we were to add our developmental swimmers to our club roster, we would easily top 300 young swimmers at this date.

Upward Trends in Achievement

What led to this growth? Success. Consistency. Commitment. I've heard it said another way recently, by a coach we all respected and now deeply miss: Desire. Determination. Dedication.

In the past seven short-course seasons, I have never seen AASC finish lower than third at a state championship, 12-and-Under or 13-and-Over. The state championships change from year to year as conflicts with other championships such as Sectionals, YMCA Zones and now NCSA JR Nationals limit the numbers of elite Michigan athletes that compete at the state meet, but we've often won with full teams and still placed top three with half our swimmers at a different meet.

More swimmers are participating in more meets. Our average meet entry two years ago was 20 or 30 swimmers. At three meets this year, we exceeded 100 athletes per meet entry, and average close to 70 athletes per meet.

AASC has also seen a rise in the elite talent of our program. Seven years ago, having a relay make the top 16 at YMCA Nationals was a big deal. At our last YMCA Nationals in 2004, our girls won every relay. After the 2005 Jr. Nationals, our A and B relays were the fastest two 800-freestyle relays ever swum by a non-collegiate Michigan team. And we placed only third and fourth.

There is still room to get better.

Shaping Our Future

As coaches, we feel that is what the future is all about. We constantly ask ourselves, "What can we do to make this better/faster/stronger/more organized?" Ann Arbor swimming has been growing at an amazing rate. This community is special with regard to swimming. There is a strong, undeniable history of excellence. Olympians and World Records, NCAA Championships, National Championships, National Records, State Championships, Summer League Championships … It goes on and on and on as far back as one cares to look. We are a part of that history now, as swimmers, coaches and parents. We will be remembered the same way that we remember the teams, the heroes and the championships of the past.

What is the dream, then? With all this history to be thankful for and revel in, why do we need more? The answer is simple: because we can do what we do better.

One of my favorite moments as a coach is watching a swimmer achieve a goal that they've been working hard to achieve, come out of the pool smiling and proud, surprised and happy, and to congratulate them and share their exhilaration in one moment and then give them a new, harder goal in the next moment. The look is almost always the same. An "are you serious?" expression at first, and then a gradual comprehension and slow, drawing smile. We never want our young athletes to stop fighting the good fight. We're not disappointed, but "How far could I have gone?" is a question I have asked myself, and I hope that few of the swimmers I coach will look back and wonder similarly.

The same challenge for self-improvement applies to us as coaches, and to us as an organization and a team. Congratulations, AASC just celebrated its 50th Anniversary! Now, what can we do to get better?

Everyone needs an opportunity to succeed. We need great teachers, educators, coaches, administrators and parents. We need a philosophy to bind everything together. We're working on it and toward it.

It should not be the vision of one coach, one swimmer, one parent, or even one team. In today's society where being better than someone else is all-too-often the overriding factor, celebrating each other's success comes as a fresh and exciting proposition. We can make each other faster, better and stronger.

Reflecting on 50 Years Fifty years. Fifty years? Fifty years!!! Some organizations don't last fifty months let alone five decades. Although I've been around for only one of those decades, I can appreciate all that was done in the years before to make Ann Arbor Swim Club what it is today. And what exactly is it today? The best age group program in the state and one of the top 50 in the nation, as well as a collection of some of the best people I have had the pleasure of being around in my 34 years. From swimmers who give everything of themselves in and out of the pool to parents and siblings who spend countless hours volunteering their time to make sure our organization runs as smoothly as it does. I have to thank all who have come before us and helped forge what we have today. Times change and what we have today may change as well. We could all become part of a more impressive entity known as Club Wolverine. CW has itself existed for 20 some years and has been the home club to many Olympians and National team members. When Coach Bob Bowman moved into Ann Arbor, the possibility of CW expanding its focus arose. “With the years' passing and with open minds for making swimming in Ann Arbor the best it can be, times seem ripe for change." Dan Ohm, AASC Head Coach As all know, early January was a very trying time for the Ann Arbor swimming community. We lost a friend, teacher, leader and a unifying voice. In 1996-1997 the last thing the swim coaches wanted was to have two teams in town. Not only was it going to be harder logistically, but to have two groups in Ann Arbor working toward the same goals but not working together to do so did not make sense to us. With the years' passing and with open minds for making swimming in Ann Arbor the best it can be, times seem ripe for change. Eric's passing has shaken the process up, but it must not delay it. The question I get the most from people about the potential consolidation is what I think about it, so here goes: I believe these opportunities will make swimming in Washtenaw County more streamlined and create a more enjoyable organization for all. It will continue and will elevate the amazing things possible by Ann Arbor swimmers and those involved with Ann Arbor swimming.

Coach Ohm's Memorable Moments This summer, Coach Ohm celebrates his 10-year anniversary with the AASC coaching staff. Looking back on his first decade with our club, he offers these Top 3 memories. For his complete Top 10 list, check the Spring 2006 issue for AASC memorable moments of coaches, current swimmers, alumni and parents.  Coach Ohm celebrates 10 years with AASC this summer. Here are some top memories from my first decade with AASC, in no particular order: 1   The wedding reception Sarah and I held for the team last summer at Independence Lake. We had a turnout of well over 100 people which, for as little notice people got and it being a beautiful August day, gives us a warm feeling that lasts today. 2   The only coach recruiting picnic AASC ever held. It was the summer of 1999 at Huron Valley Swim Club, with Mr. Nissley cooking. About three coaches showed up, one by the name of Josh Morgan. The rest is history. 3  Last year's Junior Nationals. In what was one of the fastest 18-and-under meets in the last 20 years, the Junior team had many outstanding performances on its way to overall runner-up and women's team champs. The most impressive thing was how when swimmers needed to step up through the week, they did. It was truly an amazing show. I could go on and on. There are so many more memorable moments I could mention. But for now, it is time to look to the future, for that is what is most important. It no doubt will provide many more great moments. See you at the pool, Dan Ohm, AASC Head Coach 1996-Present

Our 50th Anniversary celebration is making national news! Check your March-April issue of Splash magazine for a Club Corner feature that pays tribute to this golden achievement of Ann Arbor Swim Club.

Thanks to all who submitted an online survey during January and February. Check next month's issue for results.

And mark your calendar: March 29 is the date set for the annual AASC banquet at Weber's.

Thomas Jefferson once said, "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find that the harder I work, the more I have of it."

At championships, here's hoping AASC swimmers are rewarded with lots of luck for all their hard work this SCY season. As you prepare for your championship races, review 50+ inspiring quotes about determination and achievement.

Good luck at championships, AASC swimmers!

Next Issue: AASC swimmers have more in common than dry skin and goggle bruises. In next month's AASC Swimmer Profile, look beyond swim times to see the busy, socially conscious, highly motivated and eclectic group of young people that comprise Ann Arbor Swim Club.