How about the confindence in the guy, knowing we would win the state championship and bringing an extra pair of pants in his briefcase. To the meet!
I remember, after winning the last event (thanks to ken brakebill for giving us the lead and making it easy on me for the anchor). We had to win the last relay in order to win, Doc pulls me aside and opened his case, showed me the pants and said, “This is how confident I was.” All with the big Doc smile on his face. What a coach!
I remember opening the pool doors on a frigid day and the creation of a layer of fog inside the pool, which really got Doc’s goat as he could not see a thing when he got there. We were all goofing around on kick-boards pretending we were working hard. We certainly worked hard after that!
Or the time that the heater busted for the pool and it was ICE cold. I remember a few intrepids like Dave Reid and Dave Varwig trying to tough it out and almost turning blue it was so damn cold.
Finally, as Wally mentioned, there was stretch monster and how we though it was invincible until Doc stretch it and the thing flew every which way leaving Doc covered in whatever the material was.
But best of all, it was the fact that Doc gave EVERYONE a chance to prove themselves regardless of their ability. That what kept me coming back for more and why I always respected him and his Judgement.
How about the time when we got the infusion of foreign talent on the team with Jiri Krijir? Great swimmer and all around guy, but he had this penchant for wearing suits that were two sizes too small, as it was a European thing. I remember the first meet we were in (at home) and Jiri took to the starting block and he essentially ended up mooning anyone behind him and the officials made him get down and change his suit to something a little more respectable. I remember Doc being pissed but also laughing his ass off at the insanity of the situation.
The quotes, the van rides back and forth from Columbia Hickman’s horrible pool for state championships. I still have video of doc taking his victory lap after we through him in the pool when we beat Country Day in 88.
As a timer for the Boys Swim Team, I remember when the guys would run outside, jump in the snow, run back inside and jump in the water. Also, remember Joe Lucash trying to touch the ceiling from bouncing up and down on the diving board. But most of all hearing Doc. Paige’s words of wisdom to help motivate each and every one of the guys to do their best swim.
Wow this has been interesting bringing up some old memories, totally forgot about the initiation. What about Blue Food? I also remember Tom Haury looking to cook Eggs after Morning practice before class in the locker room. Any one recall the races that took place before afternoon practice in the locker rooms? I was home visiting my parents a couple of year ago and found a Stretch Monster in the basement. He was rock solid. I remember Doc wanting me to work on my endurance so he had me swim a set of 3X500 Fly a couple of time a week. Then telling me that John “woody” Woodruff had the school record for 500 Fly and challenging me to try and break that time. How about Christmas break work outs, those where a lot of yards and what where those red things that hung on the wall we used to work out on? One more thought collecting up all the hair after trimming and shaving at state and bringing it back and presenting the bag of hair and the state trophy to Dr Burr
I wish I could be there this weekend, but currently living on the east coast makes it tough to make the meet and festivities. Well by the posting time you can see it is early here and I actually have to go pick up my daughter from her morning practice (4:45 – 6:00 AM) before school.
August 20, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Wonering what the quote, before the meet, was going to be…
Was it…”Its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog”
or could it just have been Carpe Diem…
August 21, 2008 at 11:36 am
I believe it was Carpe Diem & a few others, they were all great quotes. Doc was 20+ years ahead of his time, awesome coach, awesome teacher!
August 21, 2008 at 1:18 pm
How about the confindence in the guy, knowing we would win the state championship and bringing an extra pair of pants in his briefcase. To the meet!
I remember, after winning the last event (thanks to ken brakebill for giving us the lead and making it easy on me for the anchor). We had to win the last relay in order to win, Doc pulls me aside and opened his case, showed me the pants and said, “This is how confident I was.” All with the big Doc smile on his face. What a coach!
September 16, 2008 at 12:41 pm
1980
I remember Nurf Man, Nurf Rockets, Arete II shirts, spending time in the library looking up quotes, and a team State Championship!
Wally Flick
September 20, 2008 at 5:09 am
I remember opening the pool doors on a frigid day and the creation of a layer of fog inside the pool, which really got Doc’s goat as he could not see a thing when he got there. We were all goofing around on kick-boards pretending we were working hard. We certainly worked hard after that!
Or the time that the heater busted for the pool and it was ICE cold. I remember a few intrepids like Dave Reid and Dave Varwig trying to tough it out and almost turning blue it was so damn cold.
Finally, as Wally mentioned, there was stretch monster and how we though it was invincible until Doc stretch it and the thing flew every which way leaving Doc covered in whatever the material was.
But best of all, it was the fact that Doc gave EVERYONE a chance to prove themselves regardless of their ability. That what kept me coming back for more and why I always respected him and his Judgement.
Way to go Doc!!!!!!!
September 20, 2008 at 5:15 am
How about the time when we got the infusion of foreign talent on the team with Jiri Krijir? Great swimmer and all around guy, but he had this penchant for wearing suits that were two sizes too small, as it was a European thing. I remember the first meet we were in (at home) and Jiri took to the starting block and he essentially ended up mooning anyone behind him and the officials made him get down and change his suit to something a little more respectable. I remember Doc being pissed but also laughing his ass off at the insanity of the situation.
September 30, 2008 at 12:37 pm
The quotes, the van rides back and forth from Columbia Hickman’s horrible pool for state championships. I still have video of doc taking his victory lap after we through him in the pool when we beat Country Day in 88.
September 30, 2008 at 3:48 pm
West swimmers standing on the 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, and 4th Place steps on the awards platform after the 500 Free at the 1980 State Meet!
SWEEP!!!
October 2, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Spring Break in Ft. Lauderdale with the “Biltmore Brew Boys”.
I can’t believe our parents let us go, so young, innocent, and impressionable.
October 5, 2008 at 6:50 pm
As a timer for the Boys Swim Team, I remember when the guys would run outside, jump in the snow, run back inside and jump in the water. Also, remember Joe Lucash trying to touch the ceiling from bouncing up and down on the diving board. But most of all hearing Doc. Paige’s words of wisdom to help motivate each and every one of the guys to do their best swim.
October 8, 2008 at 10:25 am
As Greg said in the 70’s section, making the call at 5 AM or so to make sure Doc would wake up and arrive on time for morning practice.
October 9, 2008 at 3:41 am
Wow this has been interesting bringing up some old memories, totally forgot about the initiation. What about Blue Food? I also remember Tom Haury looking to cook Eggs after Morning practice before class in the locker room. Any one recall the races that took place before afternoon practice in the locker rooms? I was home visiting my parents a couple of year ago and found a Stretch Monster in the basement. He was rock solid. I remember Doc wanting me to work on my endurance so he had me swim a set of 3X500 Fly a couple of time a week. Then telling me that John “woody” Woodruff had the school record for 500 Fly and challenging me to try and break that time. How about Christmas break work outs, those where a lot of yards and what where those red things that hung on the wall we used to work out on? One more thought collecting up all the hair after trimming and shaving at state and bringing it back and presenting the bag of hair and the state trophy to Dr Burr
I wish I could be there this weekend, but currently living on the east coast makes it tough to make the meet and festivities. Well by the posting time you can see it is early here and I actually have to go pick up my daughter from her morning practice (4:45 – 6:00 AM) before school.