While swim meets and practices are largely on hold worldwide right now due to the effects of COVID-19, BSN Sports still wants to highlight and celebrate swim teams from around the country. This week, we’re taking a look at at the Cincinnati Marlins, a USA Swimming club that’s been in existence since way back in 1961. Over the course of nearly 60 years, the Marlins have won multiple age group state championships, a US National championship, and have placed 18 swimmers on Olympics teams.
Brad Isham leads the Marlins as head coach and CEO. Isham joined the Marlins in 2017, and has been in a fixture in the Cincinnati areas for over 20 years, having also won YMCA National Coach of the Year and High School of the Year honors. We spoke to Isham to get a sense of what makes the Marlins special, as well as some of his thoughts on coaching in general.
Isham summarizes his coaching philosophy as: “Teach kids life lessons about hard work, time management, and being a supportive, contributing member of a team in a fun, positive atmosphere.”
Part of that “fun, positive atmosphere” means establishing a team chemistry that’s conducive to swimmers’ success at every level.
It starts with a cohesive coaching staff sharing the same vision. Swimmers understanding that vision and following that lead. Swimmers having pride in their team and working together with respect for what they do to be their best for their team creates a special team chemistry.
Just like other teams around the country, and around the world, the Marlins have been out of the water since last month. However, the staff has been proactive about finding ways to stay connected to each other and to the swimmers, using everything from Zoom meetings to a weekly newsletter to talk about the mental side of swimming, nutrition and dryland workouts to make sure that the Marlins are as ready to swim as they can be whenever practices resume.
When the Marlins do get back into the water, swimmers can expect to see a couple of Isham’s favorite sets pop up before too long, including classics like 20 x 25, 20 x 50, 20 x 100 off the blocks, 75/100/125 x 8, and 2 x400/4 x 25} x 6.
Not only did Isham earn Coach of the Year honors in some of his previous stops, but he also guided the Gamble-Nippert & Countryside YMCA teams to national championships and Urusline Academy to an Ohio high school state championships, achievements that he ranked as his favorite memories, and a pattern of success that the Marlins are poised to continue to add to in the years to come.
ABOUT BSN SPORTS
Founded in 1972 as a factory-direct equipment company, today BSN SPORTS is the largest distributor of team sports apparel and equipment in the United States, with over 3,000 employees across 80 regional offices. At BSN SPORTS we believe that sports have the power to change lives. At the heart of what makes sports happen are the coaches, teachers and mentors who work with young and old alike to build meaningful lifelong experiences. That’s why our mission is simple. The more time we save coaches with everything they do off the deck, the more time they can spend changing lives. And that’s the real final score.
Get your swimmers in custom team gear with your team’s logo. My Team shop provides a one-stop-shop solution to custom apparel, suits, footwear, equipment and accessories. It’s simple to setup and the My Team Shop platform can even serve as a fundraising solution to earn dollars for your program. To set one up today email us at [email protected] or call 1-877-217-9027.
To learn more about BSN sports visit us at www.bsnsports.com/ib/swimming.
BSN SPORTS SWIMMING ON Instagram – @bsn_swimming
and they’re still getting together… with the state of Ohio under a stay at home order
Huh?
Unfortunately we have not been able to ”get together” in-person…not exactly sure what you are implying.
That your teammates have been posting pictures working out together on social media, with their trainer? I’m not implying anything, I’m sharing what I saw. And before I hear “they were social distancing” there was a selfie on both Scott Goodpaster’s Instagram and a few of the swimmers together.
Wrong team in pix
Do some homework
Took a look. Doesn’t seem like they’re violating the state orders. Gatherings of no more than 10 people. And certainly not within 6’ of each other. Sounds like you have an axe to grind.
Maybe it’s just a matter of meters?
Give me downvotes, I saw what I saw. It was a selfie, and I know who is on what team. I just want to get back in the pool like everyone else, and having some of our top athletes in the state being together isn’t a good example.
shrek is my favorite film
thanks Bunga
Unfortunately the Marlins are on the downswing as a club. Lack of leadership, favoritism for board members kids, secrecy and lies are what you can expect. Their national team has seen a steady exodus of talented swimmers and this appears only to be gaining steam. Good coaches were let go as a way to trim budgets as the losses of advanced swimmers continued. Those who are left are very junior and lack the skills to help swimmers advance beyond casual swimming.