Flash! Brian Counsilman Dies Suddenly

By Dave Tanner

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana, June 30. BRIAN Counsilman, son of the late James "Doc" Counsilman passed away on Tuesday, June 28, it is sad to report. He was 49.

Brian had not been feeling well. It was determined that he had two blocked arteries in his heart (100% and 95%). On June 20 he was given a successful angioplasty with the insertion of two stents. He indicated that he was feeling great later in the week.

On Monday, June 27, his cardiologist gave him the green light to exercise. He swam on Monday, and again Tuesday morning. He returned to the Counsilman Aquatic Center around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday for another swim.

Brian had done a few lengths when something happened with his heart and he passed out, inhaling water. The lifeguards were right there, acted immediately, performed the proper procedures with the best equipment, and when he left for the hospital he had a pulse.

Evidently, there was too much water in the lungs and he passed away around 9 p.m. His death was listed as a drowning. Marge Counsilman, his mother, was with him. He never regained consciousness.

Brian will be cremated and placed next to Doc at Clear Creek Cemetery. No funeral is planned. His sisters and nephews are in Bloomington to help Marge through this tough time.

Brian and I coached together at Bloomington North High School last year. The team will gather at the Lower Cascades Shelter on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. to grieve and honor Brian. If you are close enough to Bloomington, please join us. Next winter Bloomington North will dedicate lane 3 of its pool to Brian.

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