Invoice George has all the time loved attending to know extra concerning the cities he has lived in.
From Chicago to Detroit to Sacramento, every place has loads of untold tales.
In Sacramento, that story concerned the Arden Hills Swim Membership, and the Olympic glory that might observe.
“Victory within the Pool: How a Maverick Coach Upended Society and Led a Group of Younger Swimmers to Olympic Glory” is the story of Sherm Chavoor, a novice coach who constructed a membership from the bottom up, bringing in swimmers from all races and spiritual backgrounds to change into one of many swimming powers of the world.
The ebook was revealed in 2023 by Rowman & Littlefield and is on the market on Amazon, amongst different ebook retailers.
Swimmers from the membership, led by Debbie Meyer and Mark Spitz, claimed Olympic gold in 1968 and 1972 and altered the game.
However they weren’t alone. Sue Pedersen, Mike Burton, John Ferris and Jeff Float had been among the many Olympics from the membership.
“I had written different books, and this story simply got here collectively. I simply felt there was a great story right here. I’ve been a historian and journalist and I had a historic method to it. Sacramento is a superb metropolis, however this was so unknown even right here,” Invoice George instructed Swimming World. “It’s a portrait of post-war America when swimming turned outstanding in our nation, particularly California. The expansion of age group swimming and minorities in swimming.
“It actually form of wrote itself. Sherm created a membership when that actually didn’t occur a lot. And he didn’t discriminate. He had a real genius in what he was doing and the way that affected the longer term.”
Meyer would go on to be the star of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico Metropolis. Mark Spitz then turned the largest identify in swimming historical past in 1972 when he gained a then-unprecedented seven Olympic gold medals in Munich.
“It’s a fascinating period with the transition from pure amateurism to professionalism. Youngsters right now will study what swimmers needed to undergo,” Invoice George mentioned. “Debbie Meyer was essentially the most well-known athlete on the planet after the 68 Olympics. Mike Burton – he wins in Mexico Metropolis and comes again and is the final man on the crew in 72, then wins gold in Munich. Then after all, Mark Spitz.”
However it began with the coach.
“Sherm Chavoor is an interesting character. He was within the battle, then modified his identify. I want I had extra on Sherm’s early days. What motivated him and why did he change his identify,” George mentioned.
He delivered within the water, serving to swimming legends of all races and religions, rise in a totally completely different time.
A few of his swimmers had been former Japanese internment camp victims within the U.S. Some had been Black, Jewish – it was a plethora of cultures.
“That a part of it resonated with individuals round right here,” George mentioned. “In Sacramento, the response has been nice.”
It’s a fascinating take a look at an period of swimming heroes and their heroics within the water, however extra importantly, how an unlikely coach and group of swimmers from all backgrounds, got here collectively to kind one thing particular.
That theme by no means will get previous and deserves the tribute that George’s work gives.
