Inaugural Dennis Miller Award Presented to Sid Cassidy at Short Course World Championships

Swimming World July 2021 -- Swimming Technique Concepts - Q and A with St Andrews Coach Sid Cassidy

Inaugural Dennis Miller Award Presented to Sid Cassidy

The inaugural Dennis Miller award was presented to Sid Cassidy at the FINA Gala in Abu Dhabi during World Short Course Championships.

The Dennis Miller Award will be presented annually to an outstanding open water organizer. The recipient will be determined by the FINA executive and approved by the FINA Awards Committee.

Earlier this month Cassidy presented the R. Max Ritter award to Miller posthumously. He presented the award to Miller’s widow, Glynnis, and their children over Zoom.

Cassidy began his open water career in the mid-1970’s as a member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol. He competed in open water marathon races in USA, Canada, and Egypt. In 1979, he was ranked No. 4 on the world stage of marathon swimming. Later that year he started coaching professionally full-time at his home club in Delaware. Cassidy quickly attained Level V coach accolades from the American Swim Coaches Association.

In the mid-’80s Cassidy served as an assistant coach at the University of Tampa. At the same time, he was also the head coach of the Greater Tampa Swimming Association USA Swimming Club. In 1983 he started to serve as a coach and administrator for open water swimming for USA Swimming.

In 1991 he was a part of the historic English Channel relay where he claims the title of fastest ever in three categories. Through the mid-’90s Cassidy was the National Team Head Coach of Open Water Swimming and competed at the top most level at worldwide events.

In 1996 he became a member of FINA’s Technical Open Water Swimming Committee where he represented USA Swimming. He was a key player in bringing Olympic marathon swimming to fruition. During the 2008 Olympics the first 10,000-meter Olympic Marathon Swim occured under his direction.

He was recognized by USA Swimming in 2009 with their most prestigious award and acknowledged here.

Aside from his worldly accomplishments, Cassidy has been named the Florida High School Coach of the Year five times while he coached at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, Fla. Additionally, Cassidy founded the Atlantic City Aquatic Club in Atlantic City, N.J. He was also inducted into the North Carolina Hall of Fame last year.

Cassidy has also enjoyed a prestigious collegiate head coaching career. He has been the head coach at James Madison University and the University of Miami. During his collegiate endeavors he has worked with over thirty All-American swimmers who saw great success.

Cassidy married the former Kara Keenan, in 1992, who is now the owner/operator of the Florida Swim School. They have two children who both graduated from Saint Andrew’s School, Quinn (’13) and Kate (’17).

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Kurt Finkenauer

2 years ago

Congratulations to a great coach and good friend. Hats off to you my friend. Kurt

Al Dodson

2 years ago

Reply to Kurt Finkenauer

Congregation Sid for the well deserved award.

Richard

2 years ago

Congratulations Sid! It seems like just the other day when you swam the Pageant Swim in Atlantic City! Glory Days!

Kurt Wienants

2 years ago

Congrats Sid! Well deserved!
Kurt W