Richard Shoulberg Starting New Swim Program In Philadelphia Area

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

One month after closing out a historic coaching career at Germantown Academy that produces scores of Olympians and national champions, Richard Shoulberg is getting back on deck with a new swimming program in the Philadelphia area.

Partnering with Caroline Boland, Shoulberg will be working with a maximum of 24 swimmers through May 31 at the Plymouth Community Center in the city of Plymouth Meeting, but will expand the program during the summer at the Mermaid Lakes Swim and Golf Club. According to information provided to Swimming World, the program is designed as four-week sessions geared toward swimmers 9 to 15 years old, though it is unclear if there is a cap on an athlete’s level of experience.

Athletes will not need to be registered with USA Swimming for the sessions at Plymouth Community Center, but membership is required beginning June 1 when the program migrates to the Mermaid Lakes Swim and Golf Club.

Certainly Shoulberg has the capacity to work with athletes from all backgrounds, as was evident in his career of nearly four decades at Germantown Academy. Shoulberg worked closely not only with those who succeeded on the international stage, but with young children just learning to swim and were transitioning into competitive swimming.

Shoulberg was pushed out of his head coaching position at Germantown Academy last fall but remained on the roster in an emeritus position while new head coach Jeff Thompson found his footing. Shoulberg was then retired by Germantown Academy without any real desire to leave. Shoulberg’s final meet was the Eastern Interscholastic championships last month, where the girls’ team from Germantown Academy won the team title.

Boland had been working as Shoulberg’s assistant for 18 years.

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Kara Boland

9 years ago

In the article you say Caroline Bolamd swam for Shoulberg & went to the 2000 Olympic trials. It was actually me who swam for Shoulberg and went to trials not my mother – I’m sure she is flattered though haha

Amy Marie Bahr

9 years ago

Congrats Caroline Boland! Love seeing this!!

Bill Thompson

9 years ago

Shoulberg will do great things on any pool deck, anywhere. Best wishes on your newest endeavor.

Karen Burton Reeder

9 years ago

Best wishes to the one of the greatest age group coaches in the US. Always a class act on and off the pool deck.

Erika Rodman

9 years ago

I swam under Shoulberg. Such a tremendous man, mentor, and friend. I know he will do great things wherever he goes and I’m so happy to see him back in his element. Love you buddy!

Sheila Devlin George

9 years ago

Mr. Shouldberg,
REST is a four-letter word.
All the best!

Colleen

9 years ago

haha Kara, not Caroline in trials but its all the same family so we don’t mind! Glad Boland (mom) and Shoulberg are deck on the deck working to help athletes achieve their dreams…just sad I’m not in PA to help out!

Mick Homan

9 years ago

Great man and coach!!! Germantown really blew it letting him go.

IJane Barkman Brown

9 years ago

Such Great News! Dick is a wonderful person first and an awesome coach of course! I would love to stop by this summer. After coaching various age swimmers for many years, I miss it terribly! I want to see firsthand Coach Shoulberg in action!!!