Why Swim for Bloomsburg U?

    Stepping into the main entrance of Nelson fieldhouse on upper campus at Bloomsburg University if you veer off to the right you will come to the natatorium where Bloomsburg university's swim team is located. Strolling the hall many awards and action shots of past and present swimmers are visible. The smell of chlorine hits the nostrils before the door is cracked open. Coming by the many banners indicating hall of fame athletes and the trophy for being the winner of the PSAC conference captures the eye. Opening the door a big scoreboard and timing system where results are shown to your left. Then the main attraction is the 6-lane pool with nice-looking starting blocks and flags. The coach's and assistant coaches' offices are to the right. Decorated with knick-knacks, fancy drawings, and pictures.

    You meet Stu Marvin very tall man dressed in khaki shorts and a red Bloomsburg swim shirt, head coach, and Hall of Fame swimmer of Bloomsburg University. Through my interaction, I have gathered that the team is very relaxed, more than approachable, and understanding of the individual so that the passion for the sport is still strong, rather than just focusing solely on winning and being the best. Stu recounts a time when he reached out to a competitive adversary from Kutztown University to help with his 200 freestyle named Ed Fleury. Ed would tell Stu to change the pacing of his swim, taking it out a little faster. Eventually, both went to the National Championship back in the late 70s. The team still holds some of these practices and values to this very day where they make friends from other teams and push look to have good sportsmanship. 

    Another key value Stu told me is your responsibility you are responsible for yourself, when the competition comes it's not about the coach or anyone else it is just you. The person is motivated to work hard and take more accountability for themselves the coach will only help so much. Wanting to learn more I conversate with 5th-year senior Matt Marvin also tall and dressed like he is ready to lift also with the big perk of being the coach's son he tells me the biggest focus on the team would be "looking out for each other constantly having each other back". From mental health, to practice, and even helping out with school you can always come to your team for help. 

Figure 1 

    Moving on from there, the individualization and prioritization of self are also present in the workouts. Most workouts are designed for the betterment of the swimmer. Matt (Figure 1) would tell me less yardage is done to help make "us fined tuned machines". It is not the norm in most programs as most stick to lots of yardage. Starting at 7,8, or 9 am you have a lift lasting an hour. Later in the afternoon, you have a choice of 1,3, and 5pm practices to make sure you get your classes in. The yardage that is done can be over four to five thousand yards. The short practices focus on techniques to make the individual better. "You have to want to do it, you have to be self-directed" is what Stu tells me when it comes to workouts. The off-season will show this as mentioned by the Stu kids will lift and do a little bit of swimming to stay in shape and be ready to go for the preseason. I turn my eyes during the interview, I see swimmers in the water competing with each other racing in practice, and making an effort. Stu would tell me he designs sets that help you to fail to encourage learning and improvement. Sometimes to learn, you have to fail looking back and reflecting can help enhance the swim and make significant changes.  

 

Figure 2 

This lesson can be enhanced through the principle of hard work in practice leading to better swims, Matt mentions the team loves to use the phrase "respect the brand". Using this a lot at meets and in big events as the team is proud of their accomplishments. The men's swim team has been the most successful in Bloomsburg for the last few years earns you a big reputation that you have to uphold. Many runner-up trophies and a PSAC title winner (Figure 2) tend to leave a big mark on the university. The men's and women's teams have a huge commitment that is very rare with most teams spanning many years of awards and honors. The men and women are stacked against the PSAC conference that holds 18 teams. Both men's and women's teams are stacked highly getting better each year. The women hope to achieve a PSAC title while the men look to eventually reclaim the title after failing to do so last season. 

   

 If hard work in the pool was not enough for you to be convinced, the team works hard in the classroom and outside the classroom. The team's overall GPAs last semester were high with a 3.50 Women's team GPA and 3.23 Men's team GPA (Figure 3). This includes 22 men and women making the Dean's List for the last semester. 

Figure 3

Charity is also very important to Bloomsburg swimming many members look to contribute wherever possible a big event that the team contributed to last year was the chipping and repainting of the Bloomsburg Park pool (Figure 4). Matt mentioned many other examples: working at Bocche bash, helping in the local soup kitchen, and teaching kids how to swim. This year the team is looking to improve on their generosity by working more community service hours and giving back to their community. 

Figure 4

    So, why Bloomsburg? The commitment to one's self and team spirit is there with this team they seem to have their heads on their shoulders and are really looking to better themselves and the community around them. The coach is dedicated to his team and passionate about making you the individual better while also relaxing and getting to know everyone individually. As for the team itself, it is passion and something they love doing the team does not seem to falter they have big goals and are hungry for more. The drive to swim this team has and work harder makes this shows what it means to swim for Bloomsburg.