Dr. Cheryl Maglischo, Swim Science Pioneer, Passes Away

TEMPE, Arizona, Jan. 28.

DR. Cheryl Worden Maglischo, 63, wife of Hall of Fame coach, Dr. Ernest Maglischo, passed away Thursday evening, January 24, in Arizona. Dr. Cheryl Maglischo was a retired college teacher who had a distinguished career as an educator, mentor, author and researcher. She and Ernie had been married for 34 years.

Cheryl authored numerous articles on various topics, though many encompassed the sport of swimming. Topics included the biomechanical analysis of the distance freestylers on the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team and a study of the relationship between the forward velocity of the center of gravity and the hip in the four strokes.
She also created a software program for biomechanical analysis published in 1991.

After receiving her Ph.D. at Ohio State University, Cheryl joined the Dept. of Physical Education at CSU Chico in 1965 where she taught until 1994, receiving a distinguished teacher award and retiring as a Professor Emeritus. She taught Kinesiology, B iomechanics, Adaptive Physical Education and Ballroom & Social Dancing. Her students reportedly loved her dance classes.

After leaving Chico State, she moved to Arizona with Ernie where she taught and served as Director of Research at the Arizona School of Health Sciences.

Cheryl's accomplishments in her research and in swimming are outweighed by the students she inspired and taught. Cheryl had a great passion and love for people and swimming. We'll miss her quiet laugh, sense of humor, patience and how she was always stayed young at heart. (Not to mention the endless stories of her adventures as Ernie's wife.)

Ernie wrote: "She was a wonderful person. Her work with students has and will continue to have a ripple effect as the people she inspired go on to inspire others. She truly lived a life that mattered. I miss her terribly."

Dr. Maglischo is survived by her husband, Ernest and sister, Valjeane Rosenqvist of Long Beach, CA.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00pm on Monday, January 28th. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, January 29th. Both services will be conducted at Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale.

Memorial donations may be made to the Arizona School of Health Sciences, 5850 E. Still Circle, Mesa, AZ 85206

Readers may send condolences to Ernie at:
ewmaglischo@cox.net.

– Roque Santos and Mindi Bach

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