ICE
Iowa City Eels
SWIM CLUB
Iowa
City, Iowa
COMING SOON- A NEW AND IMPROVED ICE WEBSITE.
This page was last updated on
9/17/99.
CONTENTS
ABOUT ICE
The Iowa City Eels is a non-profit, parent-run
swimming organization sanctioned by United States Swimming. The
membership proudly consists of approximately 130 swimmers. Located in Southeastern Iowa, it is one of the best age-group swim programs in Iowa.
OUR MISSION is organized to provide a competitive age-group swimming program for the people of the Iowa City area. ICE is dedicated to helping each swimmer to develop, understand and appreciate not only his or her own personal physiological and psychological capabilities, but those of others. ICE is dedicated to promoting and encouraging physical and mental fitness as positive ways of achieving realistic goals, both in swimming and other pursuits. ICE is dedicated to providing opportunities for realizing individual goals as well as competition with other swimmers as a means of stimulating and motivating all participants to fully develop their potential as swimmers and as sportsmanlike competitors in all aspects of life.
OUR GOAL is to offer
members an opportunity to achieve the following objectives: physical health, mental health, swimming skills, social responsibility and to have fun.
YOUR INVOLVEMENT is up to you. Swimmers and their families decide which swim meets they to attend (if any) and which events to swim. Coaches will encourage swimmers to participate and will assist them at meets but they will not require or dictate involvement.
GETTING IN TOUCH is easy. On the website, all people's names which are underlined and highlighted in red are email links. Click on the name and send an email message directly to that person. Or call the club at 319 351-3336
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COACHING STAFF
PHONE (319) 351-3336
Don, is nearing the end of his first year as head coach, his fourth year of coaching with ICE. From Perry, Iowa, Don swam in high school and with the Des Moines Swimming Federation, went on to swim for the University of Nevada - Las Vegas and continues to compete at the master's level. He is currently a graduate student at the University of Iowa.
Jory Blaur, Assistant Head Coach
Jory is a second-year assistant coach with ICE. Jory is from Decorah, Iowa, where he was a high school state
champion. While swimming for the University of Iowa, Jory was an All-American swimmer. Jory is currently attending the University of Iowa.
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FACILITIES AND LOCATIONS
MERCER PARK AQUATIC CENTER (319)
356-5109
Located at 2701 Bradford Dr., just off 1st Avenue in Iowa City, the Mercer Park Aquatic Center is an eight-lane, 60-meter indoor pool, with two moveable bulkheads to accomodate both short-course (yards) and long-course (meters) meets. The pool has starts on the east end and a warm-up/cool-down area at the west end. Spectators may use the bleachers or spacious deck area. The pool also has a large fenced-in outdoor patio for clubs to locate. Many high school and USS meets are held here each year.
CORALVILLE RECREATION CENTER POOL (319)
354-3006
Located across the street from Northwest Junior High at 1506 8th St. in Coralville, the Recreation Center has an 8-lane, 35-yard indoor pool with a moveable bulkhead, to accomodate both yards and short course meters, with a warm-up/cool-down area. The pool is used primarily for swim clinics and practice for younger groups, as well as high school practices and meets.
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HISTORY OF THE EELS IN IOWA CITY
From 1916 through 1919 an informal group of mostly
University of Iowa swimmers and a few gymnasts was formed to patrol
the banks of the Iowa River. This heroic group of rescuers became
known as the "Eels." The Iowa River, which meanders through Iowa City
and the University of Iowa campus, was a popular location for Iowa
students and local residents to canoe and swim. As more people
participated in the recreational activities of the river, it became
an increasingly more dangerous place. Yet through the valiant efforts
of the "Eels," many lives were spared.
This close-knit group began to demonstrate their
expertise in swimming to their fellow citizens in a series of shows
that began in the old University Men's Gym. These "Eel Shows" became
quite popular and even included shows performed from a barge on the
Iowa River near City Park. Around 1919 the University formed its own
group of lifeguards to patrol the Iowa River with both foot patrols
and boats. Looking to continue the camaraderie formed during their
years together, the Eels combined with a swimming fraternity at the
University of Illinois and became known as the Dolphins. The swimming
performances, then known as "Dolphin Shows" continued to be performed
annually throughout the years.
With the completion of the Fieldhouse in the late
1920's, the Dolphin Show had a permanent home in the new 50 yard, ten
lane pool, which at the time was the world's largest indoor pool.
These shows became very popular Fall traditions with thousands of
people attending the series of swimming and gymnastics exhibitions.
It was during one of those performances that the dolphin kick
butterfly troke was invented and first demonstrated. These shows
ended in the 1970's as increased training and swimming competition
took the place of preparation for the shows.
The Iowa City Eels Swim
Club is proud to carry on this deep
tradition of swimming in Iowa City. The toughness and commitment
demonstrated by the original group of young men and women in the
early 20th century is an example of the swimmers and competitiors of
today's Iowa City Eels Swim
Club.
ICE would like to thank the late Irving Weber,
an original "Eel" from 1916, for his help in compiling this
information.
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OTHER WETSITES
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Special thanks is extended to Brian Will and Phil Luebke for their assistance in the preparation of this website.