[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO COACH DON WATSON

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good 
friend, Coach Don Watson. Don will be inducted into the Hinsdale 
Central Hall of Fame during a dinner in Hinsdale on Friday, October 
3rd, and his former swimmers are planning a reception and reunion to 
honor him on Saturday evening, October 4th.
  The sport of swimming has been uniquely woven into Donald Dale 
Watson's life. Coach, mentor and friend, this unique man has been 
dedicated to pursing excellence in the sport of swimming for over 60 
years. Don is being honored at a reception organized by his former 
swimmers and staff on October 4, 2003 in Hinsdale, Illinois. He will be 
accompanied by his family--wife, Jan, daughter, Ann, and son, Jon.
  Don first became interested in swimming at the age of 13 and elected 
to join a swim team that practiced at the local YMCA in St. Louis, 
Missouri. Back in the 1940's swimming was not a popular sport. The 
decision to join a swim team would require hard work and dedication 
from the young athlete. Without any support from family or friends, Don 
was required to travel across town via bus to attend daily practices. 
Many evenings he would arrive home long after dark. Fortunately, his 
hard work and diligence were rewarded with a trip to the national YMCA 
senior championships where he was awarded the senior champion medal. In 
1946, as a 14-year old high school student, he qualified to attend the 
Olympic Trials, but unfortunately missed earning a spot on the U.S. 
Olympic team by 0.00001 of a second. Once again, his hard work was 
recognized and he was awarded as the ``1946 Olympic Trials Outstanding 
Young Athlete''. Missing a spot on the Olympic team did not discourage 
Don, and he continued to train hard throughout his remaining high 
school years. He showed significant ability and was given a full 
athletic scholarship to attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City, 
where he twice earned NCAA Collegiate All-American honors.
  Upon graduation from Iowa, Don married fellow swimmer, Janet Louise 
Watson, but was soon called to serve his country in the Korean War. 
After serving as a Navy corpsman on an aircraft carrier for three 
years, Don returned home and accepted a position as an assistant 
swimming coach at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, where he 
was blessed to work under the direction of his mentor, Coach James 
``Doc'' Councilman. While coaching at Indiana, Don obtained a masters 
degree in physical education. He then accepted a coaching position at 
Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois. Although the school's 
swimming program had been virtually non-existent, after three short 
years of dedication and countless hours of practice, Don led Proviso 
East to an impressive eighth place finish in the Illinois State meet.
  In 1963, Don accepted a position as assistant swimming coach at 
Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Illinois. This decision would 
alter and mold the lives of many young swimmers in the Hinsdale 
community. After serving as assistant coach for two years, Don was 
promoted to head coach and the dynasty of Hinsdale swimming began. It 
was not long before people realized that this special and quiet man had 
an extraordinary gift for coaching and encouraging young swimmers. Don 
would go on to amass an amazing record of unmatched success in high 
school swimming.
  As Head Swimming Coach at Hinsdale Central High School over the 
period 1965-1978, Don's coaching record is one of the most successful 
in American history. From 1967 to 1978, his Hinsdale Central teams won 
12 consecutive Illinois state high school swimming and diving 
championship titles and achieved a phenomenal dual meet record of 163 
wins, 3 losses. His team won the National Interscholastic High School 
championship title in 1970, when he was selected as the United States 
Swimming Coach of the Year. Don coached four Olympians. His swimmers 
set seven individual or relay world records. He was selected as the 
National Interscholastic Swimming Coach of the Year in 1977. The list 
of athletic accomplishments attributed to Don's leadership is nearly 
endless.
  In 1978, Don retired from coaching at Hinsdale Central. After 
spending the majority of his life around a swimming pool, he was not 
ready to throw in the towel and escape the chlorine gas. Don accepted a 
non-coaching position at the University of Texas at Austin where he 
continues to serve as Director of the Texas Swimming Center, managing 
the physical facility as well as collegiate, national and international 
swimming events. In 2000, he received the Frank Erwin Award for his 
outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport of swimming in 
the State of Texas. At the age of 73, Don continues to swim daily. He 
especially enjoys working out with notables like Governor of Texas, 
Rick Perry, and federal judge Sam Sparks, who frequently swim at the 
Center.
  As incredible and important as his coaching accomplishments are, Don 
is fondly remembered by his former staff, friends, and swimmers as a 
man deeply dedicated to the character development of boys and girls, 
young men and women. Besides pouring countless hours into their 
development as athletes, Don diligently invested into building each 
individual's sense of commitment, sacrifice, and hard work. Through 
their commitment to family, community and country, Don's many proteges 
continue to ably contribute to the quality of life throughout our 
nation.
  Don Watson and his family also contributed greatly to my life. I was 
a graduate student at the University of Missouri, Columbia when Don 
visited our swimming facility. I was an assistant to Coach Tom 
Harabediaw. Don offered me a position at Hinsdale High School as an 
assistant swim coach. His leadership and trust in his students garnered 
high school All Americans, state championships, and Olympic gold and 
silver medalists. I was made to feel part of his family and given a lot 
of responsibility as a young coach. I only left to join naval aviation 
and fight in the Vietnam War. Much of what Don Watson taught me about 
team work, caring for the people you work with, and the drive to win 
helped me both in the Navy and now as a U.S. Congressman. It pains me 
to not be able to join this celebration of a great man.

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