Jim Bolster on Being 3-Sport NCAA Athlete, Coaching Columbia Men for 38 Years

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman HodgesGarrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with Jim Bolster, the head coach for the Columbia men’s team (who we recently filmed a Practice + Pancakes with) who is in his 38th season at the helm. Bolster boasts a very athletic background, being 1 of 14 and growing up with access to the Princeton athletic facilities. He was a 4-time letter athlete in swimming, soccer, and lacrosse at Denison University, winning an NCAA DIII title in the 200 fly and going to the NCAA tournament in soccer. He then started competing in triathlons, where he had success for 20+ years as a masters competitor. Bolster speaks on his philosophy on staying active and what that has taught him about coaching along the way.

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Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Jim Harper
2 years ago

My favorite coach! I was there 1986-90 and won IMer’s my first year (hope that tradition still continues). Bolster walks the walk.

Buckeyeboy
2 years ago

Arguably one of the best swim meet announcers as well. The years he would do Junior Nationals at Irvine were amazing. Miss hearing him call swims at National meets.

Penguin
2 years ago

D3 NCAA champ in 2fly, drafted to a pro soccer league after college, Lax in college as well, now a triathlete / ironman / masters swimmer / biker who has competed in the tour de france

Ray Bosse
2 years ago

Is a great friend and we had exciting dual meets with Columbia when I coached at Army. It was like trying to beat your brother.
One of the best people in college coaching, or anywhere for that matter. Right now he is the Dean of swim coaches in the Ivy League.

Bweis
2 years ago

I have known Jim since first grade and he is as great a guy now as he was while we grew up in Princeton…wonderful family from top to bottom…a truly honest and good guy!

Remember Me?
2 years ago

Glad to see him with sleeves this time

Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

Who’s the Sheikh swimmer in the photo?

Big mac #1
2 years ago

He was watching squid game

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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