"John Collins, (center, Badger Swim Club, Larchmont, NY) was inducted into the ASCA Hall of Fame. With him are Coaches Jen Gibson, and President Bill Wadley who made the presentation." - ASCA World Clinic 2006, Awards Banquet

 

Swimmers LIFE - April 10, 1964
Poolside Props for Athletes Who Grin and Bear It
"Coach Counsilman makes elaborate use of doodads and props, such as this mirror which helps Johnny Collins perfect his turns. His conditioning devices, he says, get better results than the famous action exercise systems developed by the Royal Canadian Air Force which he claims can do permanent damage to the lower back. The Isogym device patented by Counsilman has been installed in atomic submarines by the U.S. Navy, and he has a government grant to develop a conditioning program for the Air Force. Counsilman has studied physiology, physics and chemistry, and applies his knowledge to his training program. For example, he takes urine and blood specimens from swimmers to observe the chemical reactions to stress. In the pool he goads his athletes to build endurance by pushing themselves into an agony of fatigue in 1,500-yard workouts. 'But we never let the program run longer than 12 weeks,' he says. 'The body is just like the mind - too much stress and it will fall apart.' Despite all their suffering, the swimmers adore their painstaking and pains-giving coach. When they feel a need for revenge they take it by tossing him into the pool fully clothed. And when Counsilman appears bareheaded at poolside, someone is sure to demand that he go get his hat, to shut off the light reflected by his bald pate."

 
Rick Carey
American Record 200 yard back 1981. World Champion 1982. World Records, 100-200 back in 1983. Triple Olympic Gold Medallist and outstanding athlete of the entire Games in 1984, Los Angeles. Multiple NCAA Champion at Texas. International Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee 1993.

Lea Loveless
"Lea was Rick's protégé and alter ego.. the voice of reason, but in her own way, just as fiery. Many times NCAA Champ, Olympic Gold Medal in Barcelona, World Champ in Perth, now one of America's best and brightest young coaches at Stanford."

Christina Teuscher
"Another athlete who proposed doing things her own way. Olympic Gold Medallist in Atlanta, 4 x NCAA Champion, Winner of Honda-Broderick Award 2000 as the nations best college female athlete."

Jenny Thompson
"I coaches Jenny for her final two years in 02-04. The most fearless athlete I have ever coached. Made the Olympic Team in 04 despite personal tragedy and Medical School involvement. Ended her career winning the FINA Short Course World's in Indy in 50 Fly in fall of 04."