Virginia club swimming coach Michael Clesner passed away on Saturday, February 18th, 2017, after a battle with what is being described as a “chronic illness.”
Clenser was most recently a coach with the Stingrays Swim Team in Fredricksburg, Virginia.
From his obituary:
Mike was born in Silver Spring, MD, on December 23, 1960 to Herschel and Jennie (Davis) Clesner. Mike discovered a passion for printing in high school which eventually turned into a job with both USA Today and The Washington Post. Following his career at The Post, Mike came back to his passion for swimming and coaching. He coached high school, prep school, summer league and was an integral part of the RAYS for 13 years. Mike had a big heart and was always eager to help anyone in need. He coached and mentored many of his kids to careers on the collegiate level as well as Olympic trials. He loved his dog Hailey and will be missed by his family, friends, swimmers and fellow coaches.
<>The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 21 from 6pm-9pm at Covenant Funeral Home in Fredericksburg. A graveside service will be held at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney, MD on Wednesday, February 22 at 12:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, Mike asked that donations be made in his memory to the Jennie M. Clesner Grant Program which provides financial assistance to those RAYS families in financial need. Checks should be made out to “Stingrays Swimming.” The address is PO Box 866, Stafford, VA 22555.
“Swimming is not cool” were the words my then 8th grader told me one late afternoon after swim practice 9 years ago. He was ready to give up swimming after 4 years of loving the sport and the friendships he had made. I mentioned it to Coach Mike who with his wonderful smile and enthusiastic attitude asked if he could take him to breakfast after Saturday morning practice to chat. My son came back with a big smile on his face and with a new enthusiasm for swimming. That was Mike-always positive, would give a shirt off his back to anyone that needed it and the go to coach when swimmers were down on themselves. I can’t tell you how… Read more »
Mike was a great coach and friend. He had a tremendous impact in my life and the lives of my teammates. Mike was the kind of coach who made you excited to practice even when the workouts were grueling. His passion will live on in all the swimmers he has affected over the years. You will be missed, Mike.
What a loss for the RAYS and the entire Virginia Swimming community.. Mike always had an encouraging word for everybody at meets, very sad to hear to the news.