Posted on 01/11/2006 2:31:00 PM PST by Brooklyn Kid
Former Olympic Swimmer Eric Namesnik Dies
YPSILANTI, Mich. - Eric Namesnik, who won silver medals in swimming at the 1992 and '96 Olympics, died Wednesday following a car accident last week. He was 35.
Namesnik was critically injured in the Jan. 7 accident, which was caused by icy conditions in Pittsfield Township, according to USA Swimming. He had been in a medically induced coma to reduce swelling around his brain before he died at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
Namesnik won silver medals in the 400-meter individual medley at the '92 Barcelona Games and four years later in Atlanta. He became the first American to swim under 4 minutes, 15 seconds in the four-stroke IM event and lowered the American record four times. He was ranked No. 1 in the world in 1991 and '93.
He also won a bronze medal in the 400 IM at the 1994 world championships, and two silvers at the 1991 world meet.
"We are overwhelmed by the news of Eric's death," said Ron Van Pool, USA Swimming president. "He'll always be remembered for his resilience, especially during these past few days when he fought with everything he could."
Namesnik, who answered to his nickname "Snik," was in his second season as a volunteer assistant coach at Eastern Michigan and was coaching with the Wolverine Aquatics Club.
He swam for the University of Michigan from 1989-93, then spent seven years as an assistant with the men's team, coaching 11 Olympians and helping the Wolverines win three Big Ten championships.
"He was the son I never had," retired Michigan coach Jon Urbanchek said. "What he did for Michigan is unmeasurable. It's not just how fast he swam, but the good person he was, the character."
A native of Butler, Pa., Namesnik is survived by his wife, Kirsten, and two children, Austin and Madison.
Funeral arrangements were pending.
How sad. On another note, what a fitting name for the head of US Swimming.
Sad...
Very sad. I heard about this at master training last night. Everyone involved in USA swimming in this neck of the woods are shocked. Prayers for his family.
It's funny though how the article said the accident was ... caused by icy conditions.
Now if Namesnik had been in an SUV, then - of course - we would have heard about it.
Headlines would have screamed SUV kills Olympic Swimmer
"I heard about this at master training last night"
What's "master training"?
yep
Swimmers over the age of 39 are master swimmers.
Should have read Master's training. This is the national competitive swimming association for people 18 to 90. There are two group associations that include the YMCA shortcourse and USA longcourse.
He'd also be a good spokesperson for an HOV proposal to alleviate traffic congestion.
Oh. Thanks.
The accident was the result of black ice and not traffic congestion. You may not know this, but he was a well known and liked local.
Good one, Willie.
My comment had absolutely nothing to do with the tragic accident suffered by Mr. Namesnik (RIP).
I was merely responding to secret garden's observation that Ron Van Pool was a fitting name for the USA Swimming president.
It was the name "Van Pool" that I associated with HOV lanes.
I know it was lame.
;^)
You can swim masters a lot younger than 39. I know people just out of college swimming masters.
Oh great, just what I need. Young competition!
My daughter is trying to get up the nerve to get back in the pool after her swimming career ended a few years ago. I keep pushing her, but I'm not the one that has to swim the laps.
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