The Original Sarasota Masters
This is the first in a series of the proud history of our team, one of the first Masters Swim Teams in the country.
by James M. Donnelly
All of the research was done from the bottom of some really old swim bags of mine...
This is the first newsletter I received as a new member of Suncoast Masters in 1974. This was the original name of our team in the beginning. Decades later we changed it to Swim Florida and eventually to The Original Masters Swim Team. But let's start at the beginning...I was a young pup them, merely 25 years old, the minimum required to register and compete with AAU Masters (the governing body at the time). It contains valuable history about the formation of our team. I am the longest continous member of this team, joining in time to attend the 1st Banquet! The reason I am the longest continous member of this team is because all the other members before me are either dead, moved away and/or are members of another team now, or quit swimming.
To put 1974 into prospective...I was in the 25-29 age group, Bumpy Jones 40-44, Paul Hutinger 45-49, and Frank Tillotson was 60, the age I am now!
SUNCOAST MASTERS of SARASOTA
Newsletter No. 14 ...................................................................................... October 1974
Dear Masters,
A very Happy Birthday to all the Suncoast Masters! Yes, we made it through our first year with a tremendous growth in membership and a long list of meets where the SMS symbol was seen on the final result sheet. From our organizational meeting on Oct. 4, 1973 at Sarasota High School, where we had 20 Masters, we've grown to a present membership of 80.
(Editor's note: from legends handed down from swimmer to swimmer, I recall that Natalie Clement & Bumpy Jones were at that team organizational meeting along with Judge Bob Beach, from the St. Pete Masters. Judge Beach lent his knowledge of being a founding member of the St. Pete Masters Team shortly before.)
The meets we have been represented in include two inter-squad meets (March & Oct.); two dual meets with SPRD (April & July); two St Pete Masters meets (March-SC & June-LC); two National Masters meets (May-SC & Sept-LC); a Georgia meet and out biggest turn-out was the SMS sponsored meet in Venice in August. It has been a real joy to see the enthusiasm develop in our program and I want to thank everyone who has participated in the above meets as part of the SUNCOAST MASTERS. You've made a daydream into a reality (and you are super swimmers too!).
Birthday Banquet - October 16, 1974
By now every member should have received their invitations to our first team banquet and hopefully will be planning on joining us. we will have some special guests, some entertainment and a few presentations. The particulars are: Lido Biltmore; Weds., Oct 16; 6:30-Cocktails, 7:30-Dinner followed by program. EVERYONE, try to make it! Call Kay Barberio at 959-4511 immediately for last minute reservations. The dinner is $6.25 per person and guests are welcome.
Long Course Nationals - September 6-8, 1974 - Santa Clara
While you were reading out last newsletter, three of out members were competing in the Masters LC Nationals in California. Defending champ, Bump Jones, rallied not only to defend, but to establish 5 new freestyle records in the 40-44 Men's group: 100 M Free (58.91), 200 M Free (2:09:08), 400 M Free (4:38.82), 1500 M Free (18:41.9) and 200 M IM (2:29.7). An outstanding performance!!
John Rangeley added some points for a third in the men's 30-34 100 M Fly (1:06) and a 4th in the 50 M Fly (28.64). He also placed 7th in the 400 M Free.
Tim Hill, competing in the toughest age group (25-29), swam a 28.92 in the 50 M Free and 1:08.36 in the 100 M Free.
Practice Changes
As of now we are no longer using the Bath & Racquet pool for practice. We are most grateful for the time & use of this convenient facility. In searching for an alternative for evening practice, we have been given permission to use the Boys Club each Thursday, 5-6pm. So come out and join us if you can.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. Meet - November 2-3, 1974
Quite a few swimmers and their husbands or wives have signed up for the Oak Ridge Meet and we are still in hopes of getting enough to charter a bus. Please check over your last newsletter for the Order of events, awards, fees, etc. on this Masters Meet. If you have any questions let me know and yhou can sign up at the banquet. This will be the last week to decide though as there is an entry deadline. Wouldn't it be great if SMS could win it's first trophy?
Happy Birthdays for October
The 35-39 age group welcomes Chuck Derrick to its ranks-you are needed! Others will be remaining in their groups at least another year: Tim Hill and Sally Sheppard, Ed Bartsch, Don Crawford, Bill Morris, Cherie Lyday, Kris engels & Scottie Holliday.