WATERBURY, Conn, August 29. HOOSIERS, the true story about an overachieving boy\u2019s basketball team from a small Indiana high school that went on to win their state championship, is a truly inspiring film. What they accomplished one year in Indiana, was the track record of Jim Farrar\u2019s charges in swimming for a dozen years, reports one of Farrar\u2019s charges from his days at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury.<\/p>\n
In 1947, Jim Farrar was hired by Sacred Heart High School (SHHS) of Waterbury, a factory town in central Connecticut, to start and coach a boy\u2019s swim team. This small, poor Catholic school had very limited resources, and no athletic facilities. <\/p>\n
Coach Farrar worked in a factory by day to support his wife and four children. He and \u201chis boys\u201d traveled significant distances to practice every night at another high school. Most of us had never swum competitively, and coming from factory families, had to cram in our homework between afternoon jobs and nightly training. We had little equipment and hand me down sweat suits that the homeless wouldn\u2019t wear. Our competitors we\u2019re from much larger well-known schools and arrived by bus, while we traveled to away meets in a caravan of parent\u2019s cars.<\/p>\n
That first year team had a 3 and 8 record. The next year went 8 and 3. From 1949 to 1954, SHHS was undefeated; setting a national record of over 70 dual meet wins in row that ended at our last 1955 event. The 1956 to 1962 teams went 101 and 11, which included 2 undefeated seasons. When in 1962 SHHS terminated the program for financial reasons, Jim Farrar\u2019s record of achievement was\u2026<\/p>\n
7 undefeated seasons\u2026 5 CIAC State Championships\u20267 CHHSA State championships\u20262 New England Championships, and 4 runner ups\u2026.25 State and New England swimming records\u2026countless pool records\u2026with the vast majority of \u201chis 180 boys\u201d going on to college.<\/p>\n
Coach Farrar continued to successfully coach high school swimming in his neighboring hometown of Naugatuck, CT. Unfortunately, he\u2019s never been honored for his o
\noutstanding record. Now 90 years old, Jim\u2019s retired and splits his time between Naugatuck and Florida.<\/p>\n
Last night, his former swimmers honored him at a testimonial in Waterbury. Most hadn\u2019t seen Coach Farrar, or each other, since they graduated. Now in their 50\u2019s, 60\u2019s, and 70\u2019s\u2026and having lived a little\u2026 they came to thank him for his positive influence on their lives. They came from all over the country – Georgia, Florida, Iowa, California and several other States. They returned as doctors, scientists, engineers, attorneys, teachers, businessmen, etc. <\/p>\n
Through sacrifice and example, Farrar had instilled in his charges the principals of hard work\u2026the pursuit of excellence\u2026integrity\u2026and sportsmanship. Following graduation, the practice of these disciplines resulted in better lives for most all of them\u2026their families\u2026 and in many cases, made notable contributions to their professions and communities. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s really the true measure of Jim Farrar\u2019s coaching career. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s a great story about a great man\u2026 <\/p>\n
———————<\/p>\n
For further information contact:<\/p>\n
Bill Seethaler
\nPalo Alto, California
\nTel: 650-326-8333<\/p>\n
————<\/p>\n
SwimInfo adds its congratulations on a remarkable life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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