Kickboard News

Josh Speaks to Gymnastics Hopefuls

by Sam Davis

Olympic swimmer Josh Davis could not share tips on proper streamline or flip turns to the young women of the U.S. Gymnastics National Team last week, but he did impart some insights on maintaining a healthy balance between athletics and other areas of life.

On February 23, Davis visited the U.S. Women's Gymnastics National Team Training Center, a 2,000-acre ranch located in Hunstville, Texas. An hour north of Houston, the center is run by legendary coaches Bela Karoly and his wife, Marta, who is the team coordinator.

The Karolys are arguably the most successful coaches in the history of U.S. Gymnastics. They have produced 28 Olympians and nine Olympic champions including Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, and Kerri Strug.

Young female gymnasts who have their sights set on the 2008 Beijing Olympics just completed an intense training camp where Marta Karolyi selected the athletes who will represent Team USA in this month’s biggest competitions.

Davis was excited about the opportunity to observe these Olympic hopefuls’ during their three-hour practice session before speaking to them as a group.

“I have always been a big fan of gymnastics, so it was a tremendous privilege for me to see these world-class competitors in person,” he said. “What impressed me even more than the incredible athletic ability of these young women was the culture of team unity that the Karolys have instilled in this program.”

Only six of these young women will be selected to the U.S. Olympic Team at the team trials that will be held in Philadelphia from June 19-22, 2008. Amidst this intense pressure to be the best gymnast in the world, Davis challenged the young women to keep a healthy perspective on sports.

“Each of you has an incredible gift, but it’s important to remember that gymnastics and your success in this sport does not define you as a person,” Davis explained.

Davis shared his experience at the 2000 Sydney Olympics to illustrate this point. Even though he broke his own American record in the Olympic finals of the 200-meter freestyle, Davis only finished fourth in the event. He was devastated not to have won a medal in his best event.

“I was very upset after my race and I figured my parents would be disappointed as well. But, when I met them in the stands, they had tears in their eyes and they said, ‘That was amazing! We’re so proud of you. We love you.’” Davis said. “I realized that I had done my very best and that my parents loved me regardless of which place I finished. My hope is that you too have people in your life that love you and support you unconditionally.”

After spending time with these young gymnasts, Davis will be cheering on Team USA with added interest.

“We should all be very proud of the young women who will be representing our country at next year’s Olympics.”

2006-2007 U.S. Gymnastics Women’s National Team
Jana Bieger, Coconut Creek, Fla./Boca Twisters
Kayla Hoffman, Union, N.J./Rebound
Jacquelyn Johnson, Westchester, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics
Natasha Kelley, Katy, Texas/Stars Houston
Nastia Liukin, Parker, Texas/WOGA
Chellsie Memmel, West Allis, Wis./M&M
Christine Nguyen, Plano, Texas/WOGA
Kassi Price, Plantation, Fla./Orlando Metro
Ashley Priess, Hamilton, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics
Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass./Brestyan's
Randi Stageberg, Chesapeake, Va./Excalibur
Amber Trani, Richland, Pa./Parkettes
Shayla Worley, Orlando, Fla./Orlando Metro

Team USA Women’s Gymnastics Schedule
Tyson American Cup, Jacksonville, Fla., March 3 (Live on NBC)
International Invitational, Houston, TX, March 11
USA vs Great Britain, Lisburn, N. Ireland, March 17-18
Gymnix International Tournament, Montreal, Que., March 16-18
Visa Championships, San Jose, CA, August 15-18

Josh Emcees "Pride" Screening

Austin, Texas was one of 28 cities selected to show an early screening of the swimming film, “Pride.” Sponsored by Lionsgate Films & USA Swimming, the Feb. 27 event was held on the UT campus and emceed by 5-time Olympic Medalist and former UT-standout swimmer, Josh Davis.

"It's exciting to see a positive sports movie that centers around swimming," Davis said. "I had the pleasure of competing against the swim club portrayed in this inspirational film."

Based on true events, “Pride” tells the story of Coach Jim Ellis who has coached a swim team in inner city Philadelphia since the early 70s.

Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow, Crash, Ray) stars as the passionate Ellis who gets some help along the way from the center’s curmudgeonly janitor named Elston played by Bernie Mac (Guess Who, Bad Santa, Oceans 12).

Like “Glory Road,” racism and breaking down color barriers is an underlying theme in “Pride,” and the PDR swimmers are called upon to “find courage and strength” in themselves and with their teammates in the face of discrimination from rival coaches and swimmers.

"Pride" opens nationwide on March 23.

"Pride" Tells a Familiar Story

by Sam Davis

A coach changes young lives through athletics in 1970s inner city Philadelphia. No, “Pride” is not another inspirational film with basketball, football, or baseball as its backdrop. In the ghetto, where hoops ruled the playground and a man would not be caught dead wearing a competitive “bikini” bathing suit, one man inspired a group of African-American teens to pursue their dreams though a sport rarely portrayed on the big screen…swimming.

Although the film tells a unique story with a different sport, it falls into an all too familiar sports movie formula that left this swimming fan, and film fan, searching for more.

Austin, Texas was one of 28 cities selected to show an early screening of “Pride” before it opens nationwide on March 23. Gold Medalist Josh Davis, who swam in two Olympics and was an all-American standout at The University of Texas, emceed the event on the UT campus February 27 as a representative of USA Swimming, the sport’s national governing body and a sponsor of the sneak previews.

Based on true events, “Pride” is a Lionsgate film that tells the story of Coach Jim Ellis who has coached a swim team in inner city Philadelphia since the early 70s. A former swimmer himself, Ellis finds work at a rundown recreation center when he is unable to find a teaching job. Known as the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, or “PDR,” the center is slated to be shut down by city officials. In an effort to save the building and bring hope back to the community, Ellis cleans up the abandoned swimming pool and starts a competitive swim team of neighborhood youth.

Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow, Crash, Ray) stars as the passionate Ellis who gets some help along the way from the center’s curmudgeonly janitor named Elston played by Bernie Mac (Guess Who, Bad Santa, Oceans 12).

In his directorial debut, Sunu Gonera, falls short of giving the audience an emotional connection to his actors. While each of the characters begin to realize that this newly formed swim team brings them the hope and purpose they are so desperately looking for, the film lacks the emotional punch of other sports movies like “Remember the Titans” and “Miracle.” A pep talk given by Coach Ellis, “This is our community - give them something to believe in,” and encouragement from one swimmer to another like, “The anchor of the relay has to have the biggest heart,” seemed to fall flat and sounded far too familiar and clichéd.

Like “Glory Road,” racism and breaking down color barriers is an underlying theme in “Pride,” and the PDR swimmers are called upon to “find courage and strength” in themselves and with their teammates in the face of discrimination from rival coaches and swimmers. Overcoming racial obstacles in the swimming pool is a unique story that has not been told on film, but the requisite training montage and the slow motion competition sequences amidst the polyester pants and funk soundtrack of the 70s seemed far too much like “Invincible” meets “Glory Road” without the “stand-up and cheer” feeling that both of these movies left me walking away with.

Also, while many of the actors had the chiseled physique of well-conditioned athletes, swimming purists may balk at the flawed swimming form that some of them demonstrate in the pool.

Although some of his monologues seemed slightly melodramatic, Howard brings a subtle intensity to Coach Ellis, who struggles with demons of discrimination from his own past. Mac brings a comedic balance to Howard’s serious demeanor and the two actors share several amusing scenes on screen together.

The tagline on the “Pride” movie poster states, “Reach for it with everything you got.” While strong performances from Howard and Mac and the unique subject of competitive swimming helped the film come close to “reaching” the level of similar sports films, unoriginal pep talks and tired, formulaic “sports movie” elements cause “Pride” to fall short of its inspirational mark.

Olympian Helps Out in Odessa, TX

Davis Puts on Clinic, Scheduled as Guest Speaker

By Craig Craker, Odessa American
ccraker@oaoa.com

A running joke between swimmers was played out to perfection Wednesday, even if it was unplanned.

A youngster walked up to Josh Davis and said, “Who are you?”

Davis was in the process of signing one of nearly 100 autographs, and as everyone stood with their mouths agape, Davis responded, “I’m an Olympic swimmer. Who are you?”

It was a moment of levity for Davis, a three-time gold medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games and a two-time silver medalist at the 2000 Sydney Summer Games, one which happens more than you’d think.

“I’m semi-famous around a pool deck, but completely anonymous everywhere else,” Davis said. “The joke is, most people see me and recognize me at the Olympics but don’t know me when I have clothes on.”

Davis was at Ector Junior High teaching swimming technique, proper training, nutrition, work ethic and motivation to 60 or more swimmers from junior highs in the city.

The Olympian is on a 100-city tour around America called Mutual of Omaha Breakout Swim Clinics. He has already traveled to New York, New Jersey, Louisiana and California among other states.

“I love Odessa, I love coming here,” Davis said. “I want to teach not only how to be a great swimmer, but also great people.”

Davis will speak at Jordan and LBJ Elementary schools today as well as at the Odessa High swim banquet tonight.

He will then return home to San Antonio before hitting the road again next week in Minnesota.

Clinicians Among Winners at Missouri Grand Prix

Many of the swimmers who competed at the Missouri Grand Prix this past weekend will soon be heading to Melbourne for next month’s World Championships.

However, when they’re not representing Team USA at the biggest swim meets on the planet, these athletes spend some of their free time traveling the country to inspire the next generation of swimmers at Ultimate Technique and Mutual of Omaha BREAKout! clinics.

Here are highlights of how some of these awesome swimmers (and clinicians!) did in Missouri:

- Tara Kirk swept every breaststroke race as she won at the 50m ( 31.16), 100m (1:06.82), and 200m (2:27.42) distances.

- Aaron Peirsol took home gold in the 200m back in 1:56.27.

- Cullen Jones won the 50m free in a time of 22.40 and placed second in the 100m free (50.14).

- Rachel Komisarz won a gold medal in the 50m fly with a time of 27.11, won a silver medal in the 100m fly (58.98) and placed third in the 50m free (25.83).

- Kim Vandenberg won the 200m fly in a time of 2:08.22.

- Mary DeScenza won gold in the 200m back (2:15.32) and finished third in the 50m fly (27.92), 200m fly (2:12.15), and 100m back (1:02.70)

- Amanda Weir finished second in both the 50m free (25.79) and 100m free (56.07).

- Margaret Hoelzer won a silver medal in the 100m back, and placed third in both the 200m free (2:00.11) and the 100m fly (1:01.82).

Best of luck in Melbourne, Team USA!

To bring a World Champs Team Member or Olympian to your swim club this year, click HERE!!!

Where in the World is... Josh Davis???

Five-time Olympic medalist Josh Davis may have retired from competitive swimming, but he’s still the “hardest working man in swimming”!!!

Look out for Josh in your state or hometown this next year!

Swim clinics, schools, churches, award banquets, corporate events…Josh loves any opportunity to share his inspiring message with others.

Follow Josh on his yearlong jouney…

Jan. 6 – West Nyack, NY
Jan. 7 – Lexington, KY
Jan. 7 – Herndon, VA
Jan. 14 – Shreveport, LA
Jan. 15 – Alexandria, LA
Jan. 20 – Harmony, PA
Jan. 21 – Ft. Washington, PA
Jan. 26 – Rochester, NY
Jan. 27 – Webster, NY
Jan. 28 – Caldwell, NJ
Jan. 29 – Wyckoff, NJ
Feb. 17 – College Station, TX
Feb. 24 – Long Beach, CA
Feb. 25 – New London, CT
Mar. 1 – Odessa, TX
Mar. 18 – Sioux Falls, SD
Mar. 19 – 25 – Rwanda, Africa!
Apr. 1 – Bedford, VA
Apr. 7 – Spring, TX
Apr. 14 – Nacogdoches, TX
Apr. 15 – Southlake, TX
April 17 – Kerrville, TX
Apr. 21 – Redlands, CA
Apr. 28 – Independence, MO
Apr. 29 – Bakersfield, CA
May 5 – Coppell, TX
May 6 – Pittsburgh, PA
May 19 – Akron, OH
May 20 – Wilkes-Barre, PA
June 1 – Austin, TX
June 3 – Central Valley, NY
June 6 – Oklahoma City, OK
June 8 – Austin, TX
June 9 – Oklahoma City, OK
June 12 – Cedar Rapids, IA
June 15 – Austin, TX
June 16 – Hercules, CA
June 22 – Austin, TX
June 29 – Austin, TX
July 1-7 – New Braunfels, TX
Aug. 18 – Austin, TX
Aug. 25 – Pinedale, WY
Sept. 15 – Grand Rapids, MI
Sept. 22 – Hercules, CA
Sept. 29 – Bethel Park, PA

Look for more dates to be added soon!!!

If you would like Josh to visit your town, click HERE!

Hansen Feeling the "Love" from Hometown Swimmers

Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but I thought it only fitting to share a story of how one group of swimmers from the “City of Brotherly Love” showed their love and appreciation towards their hometown hero.

Brendan Hansen and I recently coached a Mutual of Omaha BREAKout! Clinic with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club located just outside of Philadelphia in the town of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.

The trip was a homecoming of sorts for Brendan who grew up about 20 miles away in Havertown, PA. I had the privilege of staying with Brendan’s family who hosted us that weekend.

One of the messages I always share at the BREAKout! clinics is the idea of unconditional love. A parent’s unconditional love is a big part of any swimmer’s success, both in and out of the pool. I saw this truth in action during my stay with the Hansens. His parents and two siblings are such kind and genuine people, and they were amazing hosts. Now I know why Brendan has so much motivation and love for a sport that is so demanding…his family loves him no matter what!

The atmosphere at the clinic was truly electric as the Upper Dublin swimmers spent four hours with their hometown hero (and the fastest breaststroker in the world!).

The highlight of the day was when I pulled Brendan aside and challenged him to break a pool record. He said he would give it a shot.

I then turned to the swimmers and parents at the clinic and announced, "You've seen Brendan Hansen break records on t.v. at the biggest meets in the world. How would you like to see him break a record right here in this pool??!!”

My question was met with wild cheering for several minutes while Brendan tightened his goggles and prepared for 100 yards of breaststroke.

To set the stage a little bit, Brendan had not warmed up and we had already been teaching in a chilly pool for two hours. The pool record in the 100-yd. breaststroke was :58 seconds. I had seen Brendan pull off a :56 second 100 breast in the middle of a clinic before, so I knew the pool record was probably going down. I had no idea what Brendan was capable of though.

The swimmers and parents grew quiet for the start, anticipating that something special was about to happen. I grabbed the microphone again and turned to Brendan on the blocks, "World-Record Holder, take your mark!...Go!!!"

What happened next was one of the most amazing swimming displays I have ever seen.

Brendan was in a strange pool, unshaved, and probably tired after already working with kids for several hours. But anyone who says that cheering and support from the deck does not help a swimmer go faster should have been there that day.

Brendan knew how important his swim was to those kids. He realized that he used to be one of those kids.

He swam the first 50 yards in a blazing :25 seconds and came back in :28 seconds to finish with an amazing time of :53.9!!!

Not only did he destroy the pool record, but he swam one of the fastest times in the country this year!!!

Those swimmers will never forget when they witnessed a living legend do something amazing.

Brendan is an awesome example of a world-class athlete who is so generous with his time and continues to give back to the sport and its next generation of swimmers.

As Brendan competes in the Missouri Grand Prix this weekend and the World Championships next month, a group of swimmers in Pennsylvania will cheer him on with added interest and say to each other, “Remember when…”

We’re proud that you are representing Team USA, Brendan. And on behalf of the Upper Dublin swimmers, Happy Valentine’s Day! You are loved!

Josh Davis
5-Time Olympic Medalist

Retirement Doesn't Come Easy

With a travel schedule that would make most rock bands tired, former Olympic swimmer Josh Davis is still one of the most visible ambassadors of the sport.

From speaking at elementary schools, churches, military bases, and awards banquets to leading a nationwide swim clinic tour with other Olympians, the father of five from San Antonio does not like to use the “r” word.

“I don’t like to think of myself as ‘retired’ from swimming,” Davis said. “Even though I have not swam in a major competition in three years, I am more involved with the swimming community now than ever before.”

Last month, Davis partnered with insurance provider Mutual of Omaha, an official sponsor of USA Swimming, to headline a nationwide 100-city tour of instructional swim clinics.

At these fun, interactive events, one other Olympian usually assists Davis as he shares words of inspiration and his world-class technique with a captive audience of young swimming hopefuls. Fellow ex-University of Texas standouts Aaron Peirsol and Brendan Hansen are also members of this “Gold Medal Team.”

In the midst of a demanding travel schedule, Davis also finds time to inspire groups that aren’t wearing a Speedo.

School children, church congregations, FBI employees, and Army soldiers bound for Iraq are all groups that he has spoken to over the last few months.

A motivational message that Davis often shares is his “7 Habits of Highly Successful Athletes.”

“I have been blessed with some incredible coaches and mentors that have taught me invaluable principles of pursuing excellence,” Davis explained. “These ‘habits’ are not just for athletes though. They can be implemented by anyone who is simply wanting to do his or her best.”

Last week, Davis visited students at Mernin Elementary, a local school in San Antonio, and stressed the importance of regular exercise and making healthy choices.

Another message Davis is passionate about sharing with young people is the importance of reading.

““Learning how to be a lifetime reader is so important,” Davis said. “Not only does reading open up your mind and your imagination, but it is the key to being a successful student.”

Next month, Davis’s travels will take him overseas to promote the sport of swimming in the African country of Rwanda.

“I have read about the amazing spirit of hope and joy that the Rwandan people have.” Davis beamed. “That’s pretty incredible considering the unspeakable suffering they have endured.”

In 1994, more than half a million Rwandans were killed by their fellow countrymen in an ethnic genocide.

While Rwanda as a whole has made enormous progress from this tragedy, the country’s athletics program is also hoping to rebound. Davis hopes to invite one or two Rwandan swimmers to the U.S. to train for 2008 or 2012 Olympics.

As the best swimmers in the world are preparing for next month’s FINA World Championship meet in Melbourne, Australia and next year’s Olympics in Beijing, China, Davis is packing his bags for his next swim clinic or public appearance.

“I am excited about this new chapter in my swimming career,” Davis explained. “If my story encourages just one child to pursue his or her dreams, then that for me is more rewarding than any medals or records.”

Davis was the only man in any sport to win three gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The former American record-holder and NCAA Champion also won two silver medals at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia.

For more information about Josh Davis, visit www.joshdavis.com. For more information about the Mutual of Omaha BREAKout! Swim Clinic with Josh Davis, visit www.breakoutswimclinic.com.

by Sam Davis

Waiting for the Olympics

The Indianapolis Colts proved they were football’s best at last weekend’s Super Bowl, the pinnacle extravaganza of every NFL season. Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association decide their own world champions every October and June, respectively. These annual post-season classics feed the insatiable hunger of millions of die-hard sports fans and the question of “Who’s the best?” is conclusively answered.

For avid fans that closely follow the sport of swimming, however, the long wait between Olympic Games can seem agonizingly endless.

Sure, the FINA World Championships next month in Australia will be an exciting and revealing litmus test of how the sport’s best swimmers stack up next to each other a year out from Beijing, but all meets simply pale in comparison to the ultimate showcase of athletic competition, the quadrennial Summer Games. The history, the tradition, the fanfare, and the pressure of representing your country on the world’s biggest stage is like no other.

Maybe the four-year hiatus that Olympic sports fans are forced to endure is what makes the Games that much more dramatic and exciting, but we still suffer nonetheless. Give us the “thrill of victory,” the “agony of defeat,” and the “16 days of glory” that embody the Olympics every year!

Sadly though we are resigned to browse the web instead for the less interesting swimming discussions and debates that fill fan websites and chat rooms for the 1,460 days between Olympics.

Questions like the following remain unanswered for Olympic swimming junkies:

- How many medals will Michael Phelps win in Beijing?
- Will Brendan Hansen win both breaststroke events?
- Will Dara Torres make her 5th Olympic team?
- Can Kate Ziegler break Janet Evans’s 19-year-old world record in the 1500 free?
- Will Aaron Peirsol dominate the backstroke again?
- Is Cullen Jones the next great sprinter?

Big meets held in non-Olympic years like the Pan Pacific Championships, the aforementioned World Championships, and the national championship meets held in this country, only give us partial resolution to burning questions like these. The Olympics is truly the only swimming competition in which heroes and legends are forged.

The good news is that there are only 18 months or 546 days left until the Games of the 29th Olympiad, which will be held in Beijing, China from August 8 – 24, 2008. The swimmers who will represent the United States will be decided a month earlier at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska from June 29-July 6.

In the meantime, however, swimming fans will follow their favorite swimmers at the World Championships on March 25-April 1 in Melbourne, Australia, and wait for the long Olympiad winter to finally end…

By Sam Davis

Philly Welcomes Josh & Brendan!

Brendan Hansen and I had a blast this past Sunday at our BREAKout! clinic just outside Philadelphia...the City of Brotherly Love!

We were feeling the love from our host family, the swim parents, and the amazing swimmers of the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club in Fort Washinton, PA!

First, our host family for the weekend was awesome because it was Brendan's parents! I got to see where this world-record holder grew up! Now I know how he became the best in the world...he has an amazing family! They are incredible people. His mom is a great cook and hostess, and both his parents are so kind and generous.

One of my messages at the BREAKout! Clinic is that a parent's unconditional love is a important part of succeeding in anything you do. After observing the unconditional love Brendan receives from his parents, I can see why he has so much motivation and love for this demanding sport.

Our host team, Upper Dublin Aquatic Club, was awesome too! "Swim Mom Extraordinaire", Stephanie Smith, did a super job as clinic host...from the advertising and registration to passing out goodie bags and working with local media. It was one of the smoothest and most enjoyable clinics we've ever done...many thanks to Stephanie!

The highlight of the day for the kids was at the end of the clinic when Brendan demonstrated why he's the best breastroker in the UNIVERSE! The kids cheered him on as he attempted to break the pool record of :58 seconds in the 100-yard breaststroke. With the swimmers' support from the deck, Brendan destroyed the record with a :53.9!!!

Brendan was feeling the love from the kids! Brendan is an awesome example of a world-class athlete who is so generous with his time and energy, and the swimmers in Forth Washington, PA will never forget their experience...especially when they watch Brendan dominate in Beijing!

Looking forward to heading back to the east coast this weekend, so stay tuned...the Mutual of Omaha BREAKout! Clinic Tour is just getting started! Thanks for joining me on this amazing ride!

Josh Davis