One of the greatest joys in coaching is not just watching athletes swim fast or achieve remarkable results in the pool. It is witnessing their growth long after they’ve touched the wall for the final time under your direct guidance, when they take the lessons from their athletic careers and turn them into lifelong leadership. For me, that joy has been particularly profound in seeing two of my former swimmers, John Alaimo and Chris Fay, develop into outstanding coaches who are shaping the future of our sport.

This year, both John and Chris are finalists for the ASCA/Fitter & Faster Age Group Coach of the Year Award, an honor that highlights their coaching excellence and their dedication to developing young athletes in the same holistic way that shaped their own swimming journeys. For me, being part of their early growth, their recognition felt like a full-circle moment in my career.

I first met John Alaimo during my second year as a college swim coach at Vassar College. John was a junior swimmer, hardworking, inquisitive, and dedicated to improving his skills. He had a genuine love for the sport, but more importantly, he possessed the mindset of someone who would someday teach, guide, and inspire others.

Just two years later, while serving as an Assistant Coach at Marist College and later as Head Coach at Marist Swim Club, I had the privilege of working with Chris Fay, and John’s younger brother, TJ. Chris brought tremendous energy and a natural connection with his teammates, a combination that made him both a competitor and a leader. Like John, he carried himself with the poise and curiosity of someone destined to stay in the sport long after his competitive years. Chris faced numerous challenges that he had to overcome, ultimately strengthening his character.

It has been inspiring to see both John and Chris transition from student-athletes into young professionals shaping the swimming community.

John’s journey led him to the heart of the Metropolitan LSC, where he first coached with the NY Sharks. His work ethic and keen eye for detail quickly became evident, and his influence on the Zone Team and LSC committees followed soon after. Today, John is a key member of the coaching staff at Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics (AGUA), one of the most competitive and respected programs in New York City. His impact is seen in the development of some of the region’s top young swimmers, and he has rapidly established himself as a trusted leader in the sport.

Chris’s journey developed alongside his involvement in the sport. After gaining experience with Long Island Aquatic Club (LIAC), he became deeply engaged in the Metropolitan Zone Team and LSC activities, helping to grow and oversee the sport at the grassroots level. His coaching skills have since led him to the Northern Kentucky Clippers, where he continues to mentor swimmers toward significant achievements and promote a culture of excellence and responsibility.

Both coaches embraced the challenging yet rewarding task of developing programs and mentoring athletes. Equally important, they committed to the community, helping to strengthen the Metropolitan LSC at both the competitive and committee levels.

For coaches, nothing is more validating than seeing the next generation step up. Watching John and Chris grow from eager young swimmers into accomplished coaches reminds me that our impact isn’t limited to the practice sets we design or the races we help prepare for. Our true legacy lies in the leaders we develop, the men and women who, in turn, will inspire countless others.

Their journeys also remind us of the interconnected nature of swimming. Success isn’t achieved alone; it results from mentorship networks, shared wisdom, and collective support. I was lucky to be part of John and Chris’s early development, but their accomplishments are entirely theirs, built on relentless effort, dedication to athletes, and the courage to keep learning.

Now, as I

watch John help lead one of the strongest programs in New York City and Chris coach athletes to national-level successes in Kentucky, Icannot help but feel grateful. Grateful for the sport that connects us, grateful for the mentors who once guided me, and grateful for the opportunity to see two young men I once coached now stand as leaders in their own right.

Coaching, at its core, is about paying it forward. Seeing John and Chris recognized nationally proves that they are doing just that. Their recognition by ASCA and Fitter & Faster is not only a personal milestone; it also highlights the ongoing cycle of mentorship that keeps our sport alive evolving, and thriving.

As a former coach of theirs, I am immensely proud. Additionally, as a member of the swimming community, I am eager to observe their future achievements and their role in inspiring the upcoming generation of swimmers and coaches.