Swim Club is strong, vibrant organization

I'm glad that a group of past BSC swimmers gathered (July 4) to relive old times and share memories of past accomplishments. I take umbrage with Beth Horslev Gilbert's recent letter suggesting current board members snubbed the reunion organizers and ran past Coach McCloud "out the door" without even a thank you.

As current club president beginning last April, I, nor any board members I have polled ever received a single e-mail, phone call or invitation from the reunion organizers, much less "many e-mails." The alumni are offended that the current club members were not a part of their reunion. Interestingly, none of the freshman class attended my 20-year high school reunion which did not offend me at all.

Coach Lee McCloud was a much loved and integral part of BSC for nearly 30 years. Coach McCloud was honored at a party by the club when he retired the first time. He rejoined the club to assist in coaching duties after we had an abrupt coaching change. The club hired a new head senior coach last year to fill a vacancy and due to a change in responsibilities Mr. McCloud abruptly resigned. Coach McCloud is "old school" and BSC went a different direction than he desired. I'm sure many Hoosier fans believe the loss of Bobby Knight was a miscarriage of justice as well.

BSC did make a decision not to involve the club in the 4th of July parade as it was our only weekend in July not taken up by swim competition. I'm sure most over scheduled families can understand that decision.

BSC continues to have a profound positive effect on swim families throughout the area. In fact, our focus on individual growth and accomplishment may have dampened where we are in team standings statewide, but opens the sport of swimming to a varied group of athletes throughout the Barrington area.

I encourage any children in the area interested in pushing themselves to new heights to check out the club during our September tryouts.

David Jacobsen, president

Barrington Swim Club