All-Star Panel To Discuss “What Makes A Great Coach?–The X Factor!” At 2016 ASCA World Clinic

Photo Courtesy: Minor Studio

The American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) World Clinic kicks off next week in Fort Lauderdale, FL with coaches from around the world flocking to the home city of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) for an extra long weekend of seminars, giveaways, and the ASCA banquet.

Among the seminars listed on the docket is an All-Star panel featuring coaches Allison Beebe, Mike Bottom, Dr. Gary Hall, Frank Keefe, David Marsh, and Mark Schubert. The group, moderated by Bruce Wigo, President/CEO of ISHOF, will present and discuss their different ideas on “What Makes a Great Coach–The X Factor.”

In addition to the panelists, a number of legendary Olympians and coaches will provide their own thoughts via videotape, including: Jeff Farrell, Lynn Burke, Steve Clark, John Naber, Bruce Furniss, Peter Rocca, Brian Goodell, Maritza Correia McLendon, and coaches Larry Liebowitz, Don Watson, Don Gambril, Graham Hill, and Wayne Riddin.

The topic of “The X Factor In Coaching” was originally presented by the legendary Dr. James E. “Doc” Counsilman at the ASCA World Clinic 45 years ago.

“Why this topic and panel is in the Business Track of the clinic is because it was Counsilman’s contention that the “X factor” is the key to financial success of a club. It is what ensures growth in membership, good parental and community relations and the development of great swimmers, which will draw other great swimmers to the program,” noted Wigo.

Councilman believed that the basic qualities great coaches possessed are timeless, and that they can be learned over time as long as they are first recognized, understood and developed through trial and error.

To learn more about “The X Factor” be sure to attend the panel discussion on Thursday, September 8th from 4-5 P.M. at the ASCA World Clinic in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

About the Panelists:

Allison Beebe is a rising star in the world of coaching. Best known for coaching First Colony Swim Team and Olympic champion Simone Manuel, she has served on numerous international coaching staffs including the 2013 Duel and the pool and as head coach of the 2012 NCSA All Star Competition in Japan (Head Coach). After 9 years at FCST, she has recently joined the staff of the historic Santa Clara Swim Club.

Mike Bottom was a member of the 1980 Olympic team and a world record holder who trained or coached alongside some of the greatest names in coaching history, including, George Haines, Peter Daland, Nort Thornton and Jon Urbanchek. He has over two decades of international coaching experience and has coached athletes at the last six Olympics, including a stint as assistant coach for Team USA at the 2016 Games in Rio.

Dr. Gary Hall, Sr. is currently the technical director and Head Coach of the Race Club in Islamorada Florida. In both 1969 and 1970 he was named World Swimmer of the Year. In the 1970 NCAA Championship, he alone scored a record 56 and half points. He learned to be a leader and learned about the X Factor as a swimmer for Hall of Fame coaches Flipp Daar, Don Gambril and Doc Councilman. After retiring from a successful medical career, Hall has returned to swimming as one of today’s most respected coaches.

Frank Keefe is best known for his 32 years coaching Yale and producing Olympic medalists Carl Robie and Tim McKee. He was assistant coach of the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games, the 1984 Olympic Team and Head Manager for the 1988 Olympic Team. During his career he learned what the X Factor was from Bob Kiphuth, Peter Daland and George Haines, to name a few.

David Marsh is the Director of Coaching and CEO of Swim Mac, in Charlotte, NC. From 1990 to 2007, he led the Auburn Tigers to a total of 12 NCAA National Championships (7 men and 5 women). More recently he just returned from Rio after serving as Head Women’s Coach of the US Olympic Swimming Team – one of the most successful in the history of the sport. It was his fourth time as a member of the Olympic team staff.

Mark Schubert is one of the most highly respected and successful coaches in US Swimming History. From 1972 to 1985 his Mission Viejo Nadadores team Mission Viejo won 44 team titles – the most in history. He was named American Swimming Coaches Association, National Coach of the Year for 1975, 1976 and 1981 and NCAA Coach of the Year in 1990. He served as assistant or head coach for a record eight Olympic Team staffs.

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