Jon Urbanchek, one in every of swimming’s most legendary coaches, has died on the age of 87 after being admitted to hospice care earlier this yr.
Urbanchek handed at 10:21 p.m. on Thursday night time surrounded by household, his spouse, Melanie confirmed to somebody who knowledgeable SwimSwam.
Earlier this morning, John Dussliere, who was an Olympic coach with Urbanchek, posted of his passing on Fb. “Nobody has given extra.”
Urbanchek leaves behind one of many biggest teaching legacies in swimming historical past. He was the top coach of the College of Michigan males’s swimming and diving workforce from 1982-2004. Urbanchek was instantly chargeable for the resurgence of Michigan swimming, successful their first Large Ten title of his profession in his 4th yr on the helm. They’d go on from that first title to earn an extra 9 consecutive titles, which marks the so-called “Decade of Dominance”, the place Michigan received the Large Ten title from 1986-1996. In complete, Urbanchek received 13 Large Ten titles throughout his tenure. They received the 1995 NCAA Championship as nicely.
After retiring from being Michigan’s head coach, Urbanchek remained in Ann Arbor for a number of years, the place he coached native swim membership Membership Wolverine. He then returned to his residence state of California in 2010, the place he coached professional swimmers at Fullerton Aquatics. He coached Tyler Clary and Matt McLean to Olympic gold medals on the 2012 London Olympics, the place he served as a particular assistant coach for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Workforce. Urbanchek was a U.S. Olympic coach in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004, and served as a particular assistant in 2008 and 2012.
Urbanchek was inducted into the Worldwide Swimming Corridor of Fame in 2008 and the Michigan Sports activities Corridor of Fame in 2009.
After teaching Membership Wolverine from 2004 by way of 2009, Urbanchek lived in Los Angeles, the place he started his teaching profession at Anaheim Excessive College from 1964 to 1978.
In 2019, the college’s new pool was named after the legendary coach, the “Jon Urbanchek Anaheim Excessive College Aquatics Middle.”
He continued to teach swimmers at USC alongside coach Dave Salo by way of 2020 earlier than saying his retirement.
Very unhappy day. I’ll miss Jon’s smiling face, a constructive presence on deck for the reason that Nineteen Eighties “Legendary Olympic and Michigan Swim Coach Jon Urbanchek Dies at 87” https://t.co/bJZoUoTdX3 through @swimswamnews
— Mel Stewart (@goldmedalmel) Could 10, 2024
Urbanchek’s legacy extends far past simply his teaching accolades.
He started his research at Michigan as an engineer, and meticulously doc each single apply he coached. He’s recognized for his improvements in the best way swimming coaching is finished. His most well-known innovation is the “colour system,” which is broadly utilized in swimming coaching everywhere in the world right this moment. The colour system is a means of breaking down and color-coding completely different effort ranges in an effort to specify coaching in a extra targeted method.
Urbanchek has a novel American story, coming over as an immigrant from Communist Hungary after the 1956 Soviet Invasion.
Born August 23, 1936, in Hungary, he enrolled at Michigan and competed for the Wolverines for 3 seasons, serving to UM win nationwide titles in 1959 and 1961. In 1961, he was the nationwide runner-up within the males’s 1650 freestyle.
The tributes to Urbancheck have flooded social media since information of his passing on Friday. Discover a number of of them beneath:
“Jon Urbanchek modified the best way we take into consideration coaching swimmers in some ways. He made it extra goal, scientific and measurable. Nonetheless, Jon’s biggest contribution was in creating higher people. He embodied endurance, humility and love for everybody he met. He has had an immeasurable affect on my life and on numerous others.”
— Bob Bowman, former Michigan Swimming and Diving Head Coach (2004-08)
“Jon Urbanchek was the Yoda to world swimming. Add on the humorousness and sometimes wanted heat hug. His knowledge grew and unfold over the a long time and his legacy will proceed to affect future generations. We are going to miss his presence and keep on his spirit. ‘Go Blue! Hold it movin!’” –
— Mike Backside, former College of Michigan swimming and diving head coach (2008-23)
“There may be no one like Jon Urbanchek . Jon was a larger-than-life coach who profoundly impacted swimming at a world stage. Along with his magnetically constructive demeanor, Jon not solely guided his athletes to record-breaking performances within the pool but in addition impressed them to excel in life. His affect was a key consider my choice to attend the College of Michigan, and I’m deeply grateful for his management, teachings, and friendship. The lasting impression of Jon’s legacy shall be seen within the ongoing inspiration and affect he imparted on the swimmers he mentored, shaping the paths of future generations within the sport.
— Peter Vanderkaay, former College of Michigan All-American and five-time nationwide championship swimmer, two-time Olympic gold medalist
Eddie Reese:
“Jon will at all times be in our hearts, minds, and actions. He gave a lot to all of us, whether or not it was a brand new twist on the English language or encouragement to and for our swimmers. The one factor you are taking with you while you die is that which you gave to others. Jon takes a lot with him.”
— Eddie Reese, head coach College of Texas, 15-time NCAA Champion, head coach U.S. Olympic Swimming Workforce in 2004 and 2008
“Undeniably among the many legendary coaches of our time. Higher was his inclusion of all of us on our means up. Quick buddy to anybody who crossed his path. If you happen to met him you have been undoubtedly added to his contact listing together with a selfie collectively. All of us in swimming owe his spouse Melanie and daughter a debt of gratitude for sharing him with us.”
— Dave Salo, former U.S.A. Nationwide Workforce Coach and head coach at USC
Lea Maurer:
“Jon cherished quick swimming and he cherished a great run and an exquisite cappuccino. He modified our sport and he supported wake-up swims that have been longer than 500 meters. He at all times inspired everybody to dream huge and he was there to remind you that in an effort to be nice you needed to ‘transfer it.’”
— Lea Maurer, Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion, head coach at USC and Stanford
