Philosophy of the Cape Cod Swim Club - in a Nutshell From Coach Marc Solomon Since 1972 the Cape Cod Swim Club has been building some of the best swimmers in New England. Each year CCSC swimmers are tops in their age groups and most often, tops in New England open swimming. In 2000-2001, Claire Hawley is the #1 woman in the 1000 yd., 1650 yd., 800 meters and 1500 Meter freestyles. CCSC Swimmers are almost always represented near the top or the top of the toughest events like the 400 individual medley and1650. Naturally we are proud of this fact because it supports the logo on our letterhead, "In the CCSC talent is only the ability to work hard." While the United States Swimming Junior National Program was in effect until the year 2000 it was the standard for great swimmers under the age of 20. The CCSC qualified swimmers in Jr. Nationals every year from 1984-2000 and it is one of only three Clubs in New England which can make that claim. I am often told that CCSC swimmers are the hardest workers on their college teams. And, in the past five years CCSC Swimmers have been Captains at Navy, Washington and Lee, Wellesley, and Northeastern. Swimmers have the highest grade point averages of any College athletes and we also see that reflected in our swimmers at the high school level. Just in the past few years alone, CCSC swimmers have been valedictorians, or salutatorians at Bourne High, Barnstable High, and Plymouth High. And they have been accepted to the best Universities in the U.S. through a combination of academic and athletic achievement. So, we've tooted our own horn but we want to tell you what it is that has led to our success and how we define success. We see the CCSC as a developmental program. That is, when we have a swimmer at age six or eight, we want to see that swimmer as a complete athlete at age 18 or 20. This takes a complete human being, one that eats right, sleeps right, and lives right. We want an individual who can balance the demands of school, family and athletics and maintain that balance in a healthy way. In short, it takes character. We rarely compromise in our training principles as to this long range view. We try to train young people based on what many people in the swimming world know but few can do. It often means putting off some immediate gratification or taking the "high road" as opposed to the easier road. When we develop a young person to the senior level of swimming, it is usually because that young person has done the work, and not because we inherited a swimmer who moved here or joined our club from another program. Thus, that swimmer is very important to us; we put our heart and soul and hours of labor into that human being. And that young person has great confidence in his/her ability to change the outcome of certain things in life. That young person has the knowledge that good swimming wasn't about magic or inherited talent but the ability to train, to work, to learn, and to grow. Yes, we do have rules in the CCSC and make demands upon our swimmers and families. It's hard work. To build this human being into the real thing takes great parenting, a great program, and a young person who can stay the course. Moms and Dads provide the emotional support, the love, and of course, the financial support. Coaches provide the expertise to guide the swimming career. The swimmer most of all, must revel in the process. And that is part of our definition of success. We have taught a person the dignity and joy of working hard to achieve a goal. And along the way we hope they have developed a love of this process which will carry them to the same kind of success far beyond the world of swimming. Our mission is to create a young person who trains his/her best each day out of a joy in the process and not for future rewards. We are about learning to live in the day and love the journey. And, if we can do that, we know that many rewards will come our way. Our coaching staff also reflects a love of this process. Joe Smith, a teacher and Coach for thirty years, has been with the CCSC for six years. Coach Ron Zuwallack, now 31 years old, has been with the CCSC since he was a great young swimmer and New England Champion. Cholace Lussier has been working with the CCSC for over 20 years. Marilyn Swain has been teaching swimming for over 35 years and has been with the CCSC for over 15 years. We have just hired new coaches Adrienne Fontes, Kathy Lynch and Anna Burtis. Adrienne was a CCSC Swimmer 15 years ago before pursuing a teaching career and family. Kathy and Anna have swimmers in the Club. I took over as Head Coach of the CCSC in 1972. It is a family affair for us. We are proud of what we do and hope you come along with us and share in our love of sport.