Black Dog Swimming

Rocky started coaching a multitude of teams in the Fall of 1981: Northern Shores Masters Team (adult), Capitol View Junior High, Kellogg Senior High, and the STAR Swim Team. Rocky then started as the Head coach of the Burnsville Swim Club in the Spring of 1985, back when the team had less than 100 swimmers. In 2002 we changed the Club’s name to Black Dog Swimming to reflect the more regional flavor of the team’s membership.

“Coaching can be very challenging and fun…and there is nothing better than seeing the lights in the eyes of young swimmers when they meet their goals and bring their team a victory.”

Certifications:

• B.A. Biology, Hamline University

Honors and Accomplishments:
Under Rocky’s coaching and leadership, there have been dozens of Junior National qualifiers, High School All Americans, Senior National qualifiers along with some Olympic Trial qualifiers. This is not to mention the dozens if not hundreds of swimmers who have gone on to swim in college. There have also been hundreds of swimmers achieving honors at the local, state, zone, and national levels within the Club Swimming setting.

Kim started her coaching career with the Black Dog Swimming in 1998, going full-time in 2001. Kim enjoys working with age-group 12 years and under, specifically the breaststroke…although she is a great overall coach! “I love coaching,” she says, “and working with kids.”

In addition to her Black Dog Swimming coaching, Kim has been a high school math teacher at Burnsville High School for six years. She has been a MN Zone coach for five years, worked at the University of Minnesota swim camps for two years, been the assistant HS girls coach at Burnsville and volunteered with a Minneapolis Middle School swim team for one year.

“I have been swimming with Black Dog/Burnsville Swim Club since 1991 when I was 11. (Junior/Senior National Qualifier). I swam for Burnsville High School (All-American, All-State, All-Conference, captain), and in college I swam at the University of Minnesota (All-Big Ten, captain, two time Big-Ten champions), so I know what it means to be on a winning team. I still love to swim. I love the feeling you get after knowing that I have completed a challenging work-out.”

Chris started coaching with the R.AV.E. Swim Team (Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan) in 1988 as the age-group coach. He remembers placing ‘good luck goobers’ on Pricilla Zee, and her now Prinston Graduate 'little-brother' Michael. Chris has either been coaching USS or High School every year since then. He brings a wealth of experience with four different USS teams, 3 High School teams, and coaching clinics too numerous to count.

“I have always believed that I have received more in return from the kids I coach than I could possibly give. I have also said that if I ever become a millionaire I would still coach – I would love an opportunity to test that theory.”

Chris came back to Black Dog in early 2006, and here is how he describes it: “It’s like coming home, as I swam here when it was Burnsville Swim Club. Rocky is still one of the very best coaches you will find in this state – at any level. I would have a hard time following anyone I do not respect; that is a non issue when it comes to this Black Dog staff. It’s been a pleasure to work with a very talented team. I hope each athlete knows just how good they have it at Black Dog, and values themselves enough to make the very best of the time they have here.”

Honors and Accomplishments:
“This is not the true test of a good coach. I often feel most proud of the moments that have helped define a person of quality – for which speed is not a requirement. Reluctantly, I can say that dozens of All Americans, record holders, and NCAA division 1 scholarship athletes have called me coach. Still, I have a hard time taking credit for their success – after all, they were the ones in the water.”

Brenda has been a certified swimming instructor since age 14. Brenda’s coaching experience started in 1993 when she started coaching High School Synchronized swimming in the Prior Lake School District.  Brenda has been coaching with Black Dog Swimming for five years.  She also coaches the Prior Lake Middle School Girls Swim Team and the Prior Lake High School Synchronized Swim Team.  Brenda is also Team Manager for the Zone Team in Minnesota.

“I love coaching.  It is very rewarding to watch kids develop into athletes.  I feel through coaching I am helping kids mature not only in the sport of swimming but in everyday life.  I don't look at coaching as a job because I enjoy it so much.  The kids are great and I have met so many fun and interesting people along the way.  I have had many great experiences with Black Dog.  Working with the coaching staff here has been a very positive part of my life.  I have learned so much from them and continue to gain more knowledge everyday. With Black Dog I coach the Age Group teams (Novice, Bronze and occasionally Silver).”

Phil started coaching in 1997 and started coaching with Black Dog Swimming in the Spring of 1998. Besides coaching Black Dog, Phil also coached three different high school girls’ teams (Eden Prairie, Apple Valley, and Farmington).  At various times, Phil has coached Gold, Silver, Bronze, Novice, Summer Fitness, and Silver/Gold dryland program. Currently Phil coaches Novice and Bronze, and helps with other levels as needed.

“My high school coaching experience was both before and concurrent with my Black Dog coaching. I have taught swimming lessons under three different systems, and also semi-private lessons. I also worked two years as a student athletic trainer at the U of MN, including working with the swimming and diving teams.”

Certifications:

• Licensed physical education teacher; adapted physical education teacher for 8 years.
• USA-Swimming Coach member; ASCA Level 1 certified; Lifeguard Training

Honors and Accomplishments:

• ASCA Age-Group Coach of the Year 2003
• Minnesota State Team Champions 2003
• Minnesota State 12 and Under Team Champions several times
• MSHSL State Champions 1997
• Numerous individual State Champions and qualifiers