Salpointe Girls swim coach Sam Busch is headed to West Virginia.

Salpointe senior Miranda Lyle will enter the pool this fall without the coach she says she feels the closest to. “It’s depressing,” said Lyle. “I felt he was my coach. I really had a connection with him but I’m also happy for him.”

Busch accepted an assistant position at the University of West Virginia and will leave behind a program that he helped to build but he is more than confident that he has left it in good hands.

“I’m passing on the torch to Chad Castillo and I have faith he will carry on the rich tradition we have at Salpointe,” Busch said.

“I told my swimmers I will keep watching the program and will follow them this fall. I have faith in them. It was hard leaving them but I feel my passion is at the NCAA level now. I needed to go to another program to see what I can do.”

His father, Frank Busch, is the legendary swim coach at the University of Arizona and he sees his son’s success from two perspectives – father and mentor.

“I’m going to miss seeing my son. That’s not something I’m looking forward to,” said Busch.

“But I know the coaches there and this is a great opportunity. I’m thrilled for Sam. This is his opportunity to see a different program…It’s important for his professional growth.”

Sam Busch told me he went to school with Castillo. Castillo should know that Lyle is more than willing to help out this year.

“Definitely, I will be helping with the team,” said Lyle.

The tradition of senior leadership will remain intact with Lyle and I’m sure the Salpointe tradition of success will also continue.

Willie Brock, Jr. a tireless volunteer works endless hours to help out local swim teams.

Brock swam for Sunnyside before he graduated in 2000. Since then he has been volunteering at local swim meets as a timer or, in his words, whatever else is needed, for the “little ones” who swim.

He rides the city bus or walks great distances to volunteer his time. He spent the last few days volunteering at the Southwest Classic at Arizona – from morning to night – to help the meet run smoothly.

I heard the announcer practically begging for parent volunteers to time the events while taking pictures Friday morning. At one point, the announcer said he only had two volunteers. He didn’t have to beg Brock because he was one of the two.

“Willie is very serious about his job,” said swim parent Linda Graziano.

“While the moms are probably chatting away he makes sure all the times for the swimmers are entered precisely. Everyone knows him. He is the nicest gentleman.”

That he is.

Brock moved to Tucson from Maryland when he was two years old and has been involved in many organizations, volunteering his time and energy for the March of Dimes as well as the many levels of competitive swimming from SAAA to USA Swim.

He was the first recipient of the Grand Canyon State Games Power Player Award in 2007 but I get the feeling most of his rewards comes from helping out others.

I didn’t know about Willie until I saw him and spoke to him at the meet but we share a common bond from living in Maryland and we both attended Los Ranchitos Elementary as children.

As someone who spent countless hours timing and entering in times for my own children’s swim teams, I can only give him my own gratitude on behalf of the parents he may come across these days who may not notice him.

Crissy Ahmann Perham, one of many Olympians on hand this weekend

Southwest Class Photos from Sunday:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andymorales/sets/72157624268671658/

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 13th, 2010 at 4:26 pm and is filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.