Phelps' coach to take over Michigan men's team

[Mark in MD]

As reported in the Baltimore Sun this morning, Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps' coach at North Baltimore Aquatics Club, has accepted a position as head swimming coach for the Unversity of Michigan's Wolverines. For more information, click here (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/olympics/bal-sp.swim02apr02,0,2224969.story?coll=bal-sports-olympics) to go to the Baltimore Sun's article. Interesting stuff here, to say the least.

[Sam Perry]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Bowman and Phelps' mom the ones who encouraged Phelps not to go to college so he could continue to train under the tutelage of Bowman. Ironic, to say the least. Also was wondering can he continue to train with Bowman at Michigan without pursuing studies there?

[croberts]

Phelps actually takes classes at Loyola College in Baltimore. So, I don't see why he can't go to Ann Arbor, take classes at the University of Michigan and swim for the club team, Club Wolverine. That way he continues his education and stays with his coach.

[Mark in MD]

FROM Croberts: Phelps actually takes classes at Loyola College in Baltimore. I am curious about that statement. Michael decided not to attend Loyola College here because of his training schedule as stated in the papers here. His training schedule is incredible. If you go to www.baltimoresun.com/sports/olympics, you can see all of the stories about Bowman, Phelps and Company.FROM Sam Perry:Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Bowman and Phelps' mom the ones who encouraged Phelps not to go to college so he could continue to train under the tutelage of Bowman. That may be true but to be fair, it was Michael who made the final decision. Loyola College would have LOVED to have had him. Their new aquatics center is first-rate and their team, the Greyhounds, have been doing particularly well as of late.

Trust me, Michael far more mature than one would think. When he gets to college, he will probably outrank many of his peers in the maturity department.

[Sam Perry]

Fair enough Mark, I understand to train like he does and be as focused as he is, he has to be mature. Just making an observation and wasn't sure what his training limitations might be next year with Bowman...

[seltzer]

Originally posted by Sam Perry
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Bowman and Phelps' mom the ones who encouraged Phelps not to go to college so he could continue to train under the tutelage of Bowman. Ironic, to say the least. Also was wondering can he continue to train with Bowman at Michigan without pursuing studies there?

They do have a club team at Michigan and a number of non-college (including ex-Michigan swimmers) train with the club, most notably Tom Malcow. But a number of ex-Michigan swimmers also have trained with the club. Check out Barrowman's videos and you'll see him training with some his one of his Spanish competitors (Sergio Lopez? who I believe swam for American Univ) when he gets ready for the 1992 Olympics.

So...it's not entirely out of the question that Phelps could still train "with" Bowman. In any case, he's not going to have to make that decision until after the Olympics...when he'll have to make a lot of decisions.

[Mark in MD]

Originally posted by seltzer
In any case, he's not going to have to make that decision until after the Olympics...when he'll have to make a lot of decisions. That IS what the article basically discusses in today's Sunpapers.

Sam, good point, though. We'll just have to see. Being here in Baltimore and I see part of NBAC's team working out several times a week, guess I'll have to keep my ears open.

[knelson]

Great. Now how is Jon Urbanchek going to enjoy his retirement knowing the greatest swimmer on the planet is training in his back yard? If Phelps moves to Ann Arbor I bet Mr. Urbanchek will be spending more time at Canham Natatorium than he thought he would!

[Mark in MD]

Kirk, it will be very interesting in Fall 2004 here in Baltimore and Ann Arbor, to be sure.

[Matt S]

As a U of M alum, I'm thrilled. Even without Phelps swimming for the Wolverines, it'll be terrific to have his coach with big Blue, and maybe even Michael on the same club team as the college swimmers in the off season. Maybe Michigan can improve from the premiere college program for distance swimming, and revist that National Championship from the 90's. I look forward to the comming seasons.

...the leaders and best...

Matt

[Mark in MD]

Matt,

Indeed, Baltimore's loss is Michigan's gain. :( But, I am glad for Bowman that he will have a chance to do his stuff for your Alma Mater. I wouldn't doubt that Michael will follow Bowman out there somehow.

Regards,

Mark

[knelson]

Originally posted by Matt S
As a U of M alum, I'm thrilled.

As a Michigan State alum I couldn't care less :)

Seriously, this seems like a good move by Michigan. It sounds like lots of people thought the job would go to Eric Namesnik, who's been assistant coach for several years. Eric may be a great coach, but I think Michigan going after Bowman shows they mean business and want the program at the top. There will be other opportunities for Eric. That's the way the coaching game works.

[pettijohn]

Originally posted by seltzer


T Check out Barrowman's videos and you'll see him training with some his one of his Spanish competitors (Sergio Lopez? who I believe swam for American Univ) when he gets ready for the 1992 Olympics.






Mike, and Sergio trained together for four years for Curl Burke Swim Club from the Potomac Valley area.

[mattson]

Originally posted by seltzer
Check out Barrowman's videos and you'll see him training with some his one of his Spanish competitors (Sergio Lopez? who I believe swam for American Univ) when he gets ready for the 1992 Olympics.

Is this the same Sergio Lopez going to Nationals? (He went to the IL state meet last year, and cranked out a 26.5 in the 50 Br.)

[Mark in MD]

Here's something from today's Baltimore Sunpapers which should raise an eyebrow or two. Click here (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/olympics/bal-sp.phelps14apr14,0,5961740.story?coll=bal-sports-olympics) to read all about it.