Jason Turcotte, head coach and CEO of Dynamo Swim Club in Georgia, passed away over the weekend. He was selected to be the head coach for the boys of Team USA at the 2017 World Jr Championships, which will take place this summer in Indianapolis. You can read more about Jason’s accomplishments right here.
Condolences and remembrances came from every corner of the country after the news. From both 2016 Olympic coaches David Marsh and Bob Bowman, from some of the great centers of our sport in Carmel and Stanford and Nashville and Knoxville. The breadth of the response highlights the breadth of coach Turcotte’s impact.
Below is a selection of social media posts from the outpouring of support that went out today after the announcement of his passing. We offer our condolences here at SwimSwam, and we hope this will stand, in whatever way it can, as a memorial for him. Jason clearly touched the lives of many – athletes and peers alike. His dedication to Dynamo, and to the sport of swimming, in general, will be missed. The legacy that he created at Dynamo and in our sport will live on in his memory.
More heartbreak in the Georgia Swimming family as we mourn the passing of @DynamoSwimClub Head Coach Jason Turcotte. #gaswimmingfam
— Georgia Swimming LSC (@GA_Swimming) May 7, 2017
We honor Jason Turcotte before tonight's #ArenaProSwim finale. Thoughts are with his family, friends, @DynamoSwimClub & the swim community. pic.twitter.com/TjEaGExA2M
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) May 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/jonurb/status/861300482941140992
https://twitter.com/Katie_Meili/status/861311286071750657
Crushed to hear of the passing of Jason Turcotte. Love, positive thoughts & prayers for the Dynamo & Turcotte family.
— Tyler Fenwick ⚔️🇺🇸 (@UVACoachFenwick) May 7, 2017
Thoughts and prayers go out to Dynamo Swim Club and the Turcotte family. Jason was a tremendous coach and person
— Preston (@PnParrish45) May 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/OzzieQuevedo/status/861306510558859264
Our thoughts and prayers are with @DynamoSwimClub and the Turcotte family. RIP Jason https://t.co/W7765HG73V
— GPAC Swim Team (@GPACSwimTeam) May 7, 2017
Kick boards up. Sunkist sending heartfelt swimmer salute to @DynamoSwimClub prayers to the team and Turcotte family. https://t.co/KGcZvvgUki
— David Orr (@CoachDavidOrr) May 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/Michael_Rad1/status/861357974408892417
https://twitter.com/webbswim/status/861340525756121088
Absolutely crushing news. Jason was truly one of the great people in our sport. Thoughts to his family and all of @DynamoSwimClub https://t.co/c2oqcZpEMu
— Greg Meehan (@Stanford_W_Swim) May 7, 2017
Thoughts and Prayers from our team to yours @DynamoSwimClub https://t.co/T1J1nEZBnc
— SouthWest Aquatics (@SouthWestAquati) May 7, 2017
Tragic @jasonturx one of the finest coaches and man passed last night- please pray for Heidi & the kids & all @DynamoSwimClub pic.twitter.com/xdVIDq0Nld
— David Marsh (@SwimCoachMarsh) May 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/CSCCoachMurray/status/861295696946892800
https://twitter.com/NACswim/status/861297684740812800
Sad news from the swim community. Many of our swimmers come from Dynamo. Our thoughts are with his family & Dynamo. https://t.co/q1eXntpEg2
— AHSRaiderSwimDive (@RaiderSwimDive) May 8, 2017
Very saddened to hear about Jason Turcotte. He was such a giving person & made the world better. Prayers to his family & @DynamoSwimClub
— andy kershaw (@andykershaw03) May 7, 2017
Tragic news of Jason Turcotte's passing today. He was a fantastic coach & a truly wonderful man.Huge loss for @DynamoSwimClub @WeAreDynamo pic.twitter.com/sESDzYrELO
— Betty Janelle (@bettyjanelle) May 7, 2017
Thoughts and prayers to Jason’s family. I will always remember Jason as one of the great ones. As a coach and a person. Had a great time in Dubai-2013 18& under World champs. Thanks for the memories. AC
I was lucky to have served as a volunteer asst. coach with Jason Turcotte and Richard Quick, during Richard’s last year @ Stanford.
Combining Jason’s infectious humor, swim expertise and ability to relate to his team and Richard’s boundless enthusiasm and experience, was a magical experience for me.
I will miss Jason greatly! You were a true plus in my life.
does anyone know if donations/scholarships are being set up for family/kids?
there is a gofund account set up for donations
Very sad. Way too yoing. I knew Jason when he was coaching the Stanford women’s team way back when. He almost always had a smile on his face, and also a kind word for the Masters swimmers (which we appreciated). RIP Jason.
Our family is crushed as Jason has coached our daughter for the last four years and has been our team leader for over 10 years. He is a significant part of her training which led her to swim and study at her dream school, UNC starting this fall. He mentored her in excellence and wisdom. The loss is overhwelming. Praying for comfort for his family, our Dynamo family and the swimming community.
So crushed to hear about Jason! He was a great man, a mentor and a friend! Our hearts go out to his family and team!
GSC
Very sad news. Unfair. As a simple swim fan I like watching swimmers’ interviews but also what coaches have to say and I remember watching coach Turcotte in interview. He looked passionate by his job. Clearly one of the best US club coaches when we see what he accomplished at Dynamo. We saw so many talents emerge from that club in the last decade. And he was logically recognized for his great work by being selected as head coach of American boys for next world junior championships.
My thoughts are with his family and the Dynamo family.
Jason was one of the finest examples of American Swimming Coaches. Humble, humorous, intensely positive and his rapport with the athletes was evident to all who knew him. He remembered everyone and always asked how things were going, or how someone was doing; he was quick to make sure that you would say hello to mutual friends. This is a loss for all of us in our swimming community.