To the swimmers, parents and board(past and present),

Pardon the presumptive news of subject, but was unsure of what to say, but 12 yrs seem reasonable to call an era. It is with remarkable sadness and a bit of happiness that I submit to you my retirement from coaching. Resigning connotes negativity and that is the farthest thing from my mind. I've already let the Aggie Swim Club know, but the Lakers are more dear to me by leaps and bounds. While there is no one reason I feel it is time, let me point out the "happiness" first. I have a 7 month old grandson I'd like to be able to visit more as he grows up and as many of you know, my son and former Laker, is now coaching at Gardner-Webb University, which is a small Division 1 school in Southwestern North Carolina. I would like to be able to visit and watch his team swim to see if he remembered all Coach Matt taught him. Now, for the sadness. As many of you know, I have had multiple health concerns that interfere with my ability to be on deck or at least give my all. That is unfair to the kids first off and to the team second. This has undoubtedly been a wonderful 12 yrs being your coach, even if I became one by accident. My son, Josh, went to Coach Matt's Stroke and Turn clinic in 2001 and decided he wanted to swim. John Lumley and Matt found out that I had some history in swimming and asked that I volunteer. Soooo, here I am. It would be impossible to list all the wonderful people I have met over the years. Many have become what I consider close friends of my family. I have also seen some young swimmers blossom into great swimmers despite my best effort to hold them back! More importantly, and I know Coach Matt would back this up, they have become better young people. I am especially excited that some of our kids like Ashley Bohan and Josh have stayed in the sport to coach. I know there are more, but these I have been in contact with.
 I know I tend to get wordy, but I have a lot to say. Whenever one decides to retire as a coach, there are many swimmers that I will not get to coach until their senior years. I'm sad for them all, but saddest for Paige Losack. I remember as a 4 yr old, she had a butterfly that defies description. She swam Breastroke on the HHS Medley Relay at State this year. I'll miss Luke Durham and Lucy Smith and the 9-10 Girls Relay team who have leaped forward in ability. There are so many others who have made coaching such a pleasure. However, I would be remiss if I did not mention the "Fab Four"+1. There have been other members over the years for different reason, but today's group actually has 5 now. Odd for a Fab Four, but hey, it's my letter. They are in no particular order except the member who has been there all along: Colson, Matt,Jaron,Andrew and the most recent, Mason. Young kids, let this be a lesson to you. Mason forced his way I to the group by his efforts in the water. Guys- you know how I feel about each of you. 
 Ok, for the most difficult of all. I suffered a shoulder injury and "quit" swimming. I choose now to retire on my own terms. I said many words ago that I have met many wonderful people. I must end with the one person who has meant more to me than he even knows. I have learned more about swimming and life from him. I would not be the coach I am nor the person I am without God leading my wife and son to Stroke and Turn all those years ago. He is known to people by many names, dad, husband, Dr. and most often Coach Matt. I have always called him Matt and most importantly FRIEND. I'll miss you the most. Thanks to the Huntsville Swimming Family for everything. Coach Rick