My cheesy "Welcome to Las Vegas" pic I had to take.
The trip was actually for dad...he was inducted into the American Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame, and I went to accept the award on his behalf. Mom, Marissa and Lindann were there with me, along with our cousin Robin (who's mom's age and good friend) and her husband. A few other friends, ex-swimmers and colleagues of dad's were also there for support...it was great having them there with us, and we really appreciate it.
Me, Lindann, Marissa, Mom and Robin after the dinner. I was so incredibly tired by that point. Seriously, I went straight to bed afterward...what a loser!
Saturday we woke and ate breakfast, where we watched Michael Phelps giving a swim clinic. We later saw him inside the Giorgio Armani store at the Bellagio...he was inside while bodyguards locked the doors and kept everyone out. So cool now I guess.
Then mom and I gambled a bit; I ended up loosing about $40 (which I guess isn't too bad). Later we all went to dinner at Tao in the Venetian and then to see O at the Bellagio, both of which were fantastic.
Afterward we watched the fountain show outside the Bellagio three times (they change the song and choreography each time). My favorite was the classical music set, but I got Elton John's "Your Song" on video. It really is incredible. I really wanted to share, but the file is way too big. I'm going to have to try to cut it down and post it later on.
Lastly, I thought I would share with you the speech I gave for dad's induction. I didn't really want to touch on his accomplishments or wins--those are already obvious for this honor. Rather, I wanted to share why it was that he loved being a swim coach.
Here it is:
Thank you. On behalf of my mother, Mary Dawn, my younger sisters, Marissa and Lindann, our extended family, and of course, our family of swimmers who learned from dad throughout his over 30 years as a coach, I thank you for bestowing this great honor upon him.
I know that he is looking down right now with great pride, and probably a touch of sadness, too, that he never made it here in life to thank you himself. For those of you who knew dad well, you know that he would have happily stood here for at least an hour or two, accepting this honor, reciting his life story and every facet of how much he truly loved the sport of swimming. I'll try to sum it up a bit more briefly than that.
To dad, being a swim coach was never just a job.
He simply stated to anyone who would listen, "I am so blessed to wake every day and get to do what I love."
He LOVED being a swim coach. He loved the peace of 4 AM workouts, pacing the pool deck with a Diet Coke or hot tea in his hand, nothing but the smell of chlorine and the sight and sound of bodies moving though the water.
He loved his swimmers, and considered them part of our family. We all did. He loved seeing the progression of an athlete, watching hard work and sacrifice prove victorious in the end. He loved working with swimmers, both young and old, and teaching them not only the skills for the pool, but also skills for a successful and happy life.
But I think most of all, dad LOVED the thrill of a great race.
After the death of a loved one, you go through a lot of firsts without them. First Christmas. First Father's Day. For our family, we also went through our first Olympics. And for all of them for him to miss...well, you all obviously saw every moment as I did. But that relay. That was a race dad would have loved to see. The excitement and exhilaration that raced through all our hearts as Jason Lesak raced to the finish. It sunk into our bones.
That was the thrill that hooked him from the very beginning. Chasing down the win. The fierce competitiveness that lives in each of us still in this room. Dad would have LOVED that amazing race.
I think that dad's great love and great success as a coach began at a young age. The thrill of the race hooked him, but the discipline, respect and responsibility he quickly learned from the sport is what really kept him committed. It gave him direction and put him on the straight path he always wanted to lead, and in return, committed himself to instilling these gifts of character in others.
Throughout his career, and more so after his life had ended, his swimmers had reflected that back to our family. It wasn't just that he made them better swimmers--that was just an added plus. What he gave them further was the unique ability to inspire and instill in them all to be better men and better women. Dad knew better than anyone, trophies and gold medals will eventually gather dust, but strong character will last forever and beyond.
To me, that is the measure of a great coach. And in the eyes of all who knew and swam for him, myself and my sisters included, his talents as a coach were immeasurable.
