2010 - Present
Previous USMS National Volunteer Roles:
Ad Hoc Adult Learn-to-Swim Programming Committee
Swimming Saves Lives Foundation
New England Delegate to the USMS House of Delegates
Awards and Recognition:
2025 USMS Coach of the Year
2024 USMS Kerry O’Brien Coaches Award
2024 NELMSC Coach of the Year
2019 USMS Fitness Award
2014 USMS Dorothy Donnelly Service Award
USMS Certified Coach – Level 1, 2, 3 & 4
USMS Adult Learn-to-Swim Program Co-Creator & Lead Instructor
NELMSC Board Member – 2011-2022
Chair 2011-2015
My swimming career started when I was 10, attending a Catholic Youth Organization, once-a-week practice. I’ll never forget Coach Lou Arlwater taking a special interest in me and constantly commenting on my strokes. I won every race I entered. Lou set the bar high for coaches — I never had another coach as attentive and knowledgeable.
I got on a "real" team because of Boy Scout camp, where I achieved the Mile Swim Merit Badge and was encouraged to join a swim team. I swam for an AAU age-group team until heading to college. At SUNY Albany I was one of many sprinters — I loved that team and was elected captain my senior year.
As an ocean lifeguard on the south shore of Long Island, I competed in many East Coast lifeguard tournaments. In 1987, the summer I got married, I was named MVP of the Northeast Lifeguard Championships — it’s the only trophy I still have. I did not swim much during the 1990s, but in 1997 I did win the New England Longboard Surfing Championship. Between swimming, lifeguarding, and surfing, I suppose I consider myself something of a "waterman."
I began competing in swim meets again in my forties, while coaching the Simon’s Rock PaceMakers swim team and swimming myself three to four times a week. I started competing regularly, and open water became a big part of my swimming experience. I love the energy of competitive events and connecting with people from around the New England LMSC.
Like everyone, my times are getting progressively slower. When racing I usually find myself in the middle of the pack, even in my “age-up” years. But I’m okay with it because I truly enjoy seeing my friends’ and teammates’ excitement when they achieve a personal best time, a record, or local or national recognition. The community and wellbeing that swimming engenders are an incredible gift.
My notable swimming-related activities include:
Coaching the PaceMakers for over 20 years, for which I’m most proud and grateful.
Chairing the New England LMSC board for four years.
Helping introduce affordable International Swimming Hall of Fame Safer Swimmer buoys to Masters open water swimmers in New England. Thankfully, tow floats are now standard equipment for most open water swimmers. If you don’t use one, please start.
Teaching adult learn-to-swim instructors. With the NELMSC board’s support, I initially trained 250 NELMSC members to teach adults in their communities to swim. That regional pilot program quickly evolved into the nationwide USMS Adult Learn-To-Swim program, which has benefited tens of thousands of adults nationwide. All told, I’ve taught nearly 2,000 ALTS instructors.
Serving as head coach of the USMS High Performance Camp in 2016.
Receiving numerous accolades, including the USMS Dot Donnelly Award, USMS Fitness Education Award, NELMSC Coach of the Year, and USMS Coach of the Year Award.
But being inducted into the NELMSC Hall of Fame is a highlight beyond compare!
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support, camaraderie, and adventurous spirit of New England swimmers, the LMSC board, and most of all the PaceMakers. My heartfelt thanks for this recognition and your friendship and support.