Answer: Michael Phelps‘ former coach Bob Bowman at Arizona State University may be building the biggest pro training group.
David Clossey – “Swim Clossey” – details the what’s what on this news as Olympic medalists Regan Smith, Chase Kalisz and Jay Litherland and 5-time U.S. National Team Member Sierra Schmidt announce their moves to Bowman’s growing pro team. And there are rumors of more big name talent on the edge of announcing their move to Arizona!
World Record Holder Regan Smith To Leave Stanford, Turn Pro & Join Bob Bowman
Olympic Champ Chase Kalisz Will Leave Georgia, Set To Train At ASU With Bob Bowman
5-Time U.S. National Team Member Sierra Schmidt Announces Move to ASU Pro Group
What’s interesting is that no one is talking about what the draw is…. from my perspective there is only perceived benefit. What can be guaranteed… a lane?
I wonder what the fees are
Wow ok….
Griffith University based
At the GCAC is way more
Loaded than the Arizona squad.
Theoretically I think Smoliga could have benefited from sticking with Hinds and going to Florida. Backstroke is too stacked now and I don’t see her making any national teams in the 100 back anymore, her best shot is relay spots and thus the University of Freestyle is where it’s at. Hinds is seeking to thrive there.
Remember a pro group like this happened back in 13/14 at NBAC with bowman and it fell apart; everyone in it just seemed to burn out by 2015 (Becca Mann , ous and yannik are the main names I remember in that group) this really feels like deja vu.
I think the group Bowman had at Michigan trumps them all.
I think there trouble there was more Phelps than Bowman. By all accounts Michael was so tough and demanding on his training partners that you had to have a very specific psychological build to stay around it long term.
What acounts?
Does James Gibson’s Squad in Turkey count as a Pro Team? If it does, he has my “vote”. He is a terrific developer of great swimmers and his Squad there has enough swim heavyweights to excite any swim fan.
It did, but that group doesn’t really exist anymore.
Tenn women. Are pretty solid
This thread plus things like the ISL shows that there really should be a World Club Swimming Championship. Of course how it would work is a whole other question.
I guess some simple ideas:
-One event
-Every non-Olympic year during a quiet period
-Clubs must be registered swimming clubs, no franchise teams (clubs tied to educational institutions are fine)
-Clubs must enter all events to be valid, and have at least FINA B cuts in all events
-Heat seeding is standard qualifying times
-Max 20 entrants per club (10M/10F)
-Points system to avoid certain clubs simply farming several gold medals and winning; 1 point for heats, 2 for semis, 3/4/5/6/7/10/15/25 for the final… Read more »
There is a lot going on in this comment. Putting that aside, I see quite a big issue in requiring a B cut and entrant in every event. There are 34 Olympic events. How many clubs do you think have a swimmer that covers every event at least to the B cut standard. Most countries don’t.
It is a bit to take in, probably should’ve presented the premise and left the details to chance.
I figured the demands on time and entry were a bit over the top, but it is about getting the balance on quality and numbers. As is, it would basically leave it to a dozen or so countries, but it is all just a bit of brainstorming. The basic idea is just giving the clubs and their coaches something to bite into outside of seeing people off onto solo circuits or being a part of a larger outfit as a national coach at global meets. State and national champs are nice, but they don’t have that real gravitas of showing that… Read more »
Historically it feels like these groups tend to fall apart about as quickly as they come together.
“Fences that go up quickly also come down quickly.”