Cal Davis - no go

Florida State Swimming - Coach Bill Shults

I didn't know Coach Shults, but FSU was a powerhouse back in the day. And, I hear he was a top coach.

Baylor University HPERD letter from Norm Gilchrest

Pat Hogan, Dynamo Swim Club

Some serious irony here as Pat's hiring judgement would come under fire later.

https://www.espn.com/olympics/swimming/news/story?id=5319202

Hogan’s resignation letter, like Woessner’s, is published — see https://cdn.swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dadacfa4-5f68-4bd1-bd0d-2a45b904144f-resignation-statement.pdf. But unlike Woessner, Hogan offers few words and not even a parsed explanation.

There are figures in swimming who are accused of abuse and there are those who are accused of cover-up of same. Pat Hogan was a dual threat.

Washington Huskies, rejection letter from Earl Ellis

Peoria Park District rejection -- first time

This is an interesting letter from June 7, 1983 from PPD. They advertised in Swimming World magazine and I applied. They hired a guy from Indiana. But, he didn't even show up for the job. Then some weeks later they went back to the applications and did an additional round of interviews. That second wave is when I was hired. 

Here is the rejection letter.

Creative Conditioning - offered in Waco, Texas

Saturdays for 2-hours for 10-weeks. Program I launched in Waco, Texas. 

Waco Parks and Recreation at Lions Pool

8 to 10:00 am on Saturdays

Creative Conditioning

Aqua Athletes

*An Ultra-Strenuous, 2 hour workout for athletes of high-school age and older meeting each Saturday morning for 10 weeks this summer!

A perfect summer conditioner for any athlete stressing cardiovascular system, muscle endurance, flexibility, power, speed & agility.

FITNESS PARTICIPATION WITH AN EDUCATION INCLUDES:

physiological testing guest speakers informative notebook relaxation/mental imagery cooperation and competition new games video taped performance nutrition, drug and aging insights stroke techniques variety professional staff

COST:

$20 for 10 Saturdays starting June 4 ending August 6

REQUIREMENTS:

physician's permission, liability waver, and enough water courage to dunk yourself. *Manditory physical exam and blood testing if over age 35. Otherwise, both are strongly encouraged.

REGISTRATION:

at Lions Pool on Saturday morning June 4 or later Saturdays or at morning swimming lessons

For questions and more information call for Mark Rauterkus at Department of Parks and Recreation, 753-0223, or home phone, 757-1576.

Creative Conditioning

Deb Johnson, testing coordinator, has furnished this initial list of some possible physiological tests which we might be interested in doing. The details will be forthcoming.

Cardio Vascular Fitness

Physical Work Capacity 170, fitness level 

Astrand-Ryhming Bicycle Test, fitness level. 

Harvard Step Test, recovery rate 

Field test, 12 min. run or 1.5 mile run

Muscle Strength and Endurance

Isometric strength 

Isotonic Strength 

Margaria Muscle Power Test 

Agility tests 

Coordination Tests 

many other basic strength and Endurance tests

Flexibility Tests

Sit and Reach 

Back and Stomach 

Shoulder rotation 

Mark's Flex Test with tape measure 

Mark's Flex Test with a partner and body parts

Body Composition

Skinfold Determination 

Anthropometric Measurements

Posture Evaluation

Back weakness tests 

Grid Evaluation

Others

Blood Testing 

Height, weight 

ECG (modified) 

Blood lactate 

Blood sugar level

Creative conditioning in vogue

By DAVID PINTO

Tribune-Heràld Sports Writer

Aerobic dancing and Jazzerise have made quite a hit with fitness buffs recently. The idea is to keep physically fit and enjoy it with a musical beat.

However, for those less musically inclined (or perhaps more athletic in nature), Mark Rauterkus has developed a way to make fitness fun and games.

Rauterkus, a Baylor graduate student with an assistantship in physical education, is director of a local "creative conditioning" program. The program is for anyone of high school age and over.

"We're striving to make this program attractive to adults of any age,” says Rauterkus. “While it is open to high school students, it is also geared for the adult who wants to improve himself physically."

Rauterkus, 24, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., graduated from Ohio University in 1982. lle has a strong background in swimming instruction and has taught a variety of aquatic sports, diving, softball and weight training.

"We have an excellent facility at the Lions Pool." Rauterkus says. “We've found that using the water in summer has some natural advantages. You can exercise easily in a cool environment. The buoyancy of the water supports the body, and you can exercise a particular part of the body, strengthening it significantly, without undue stress or injury. This type training has been used extensively on the West Coast, and they've done some pretty interesting things in aquatic training."

The program, now entering its third week, has weekly meetings each Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. 

Counting this Saturday, there are eight meetings remaining in the original 10-week schedule.

“We try for a variety of things,” says Rauterkus. "We strive for a new theme each week." Because of that, Rauterkus has lined up several specialists in their fields as weekly instructors.

"David Scott, who works with Baylor's intramural program, finished third in the Big 10 in wrestling,” Rauterkus points out. "We will have him for one session. And Dr. Norman Gilchrest of Baylor's Department of Physical Education is a scuba diver and mountain climber. He's climbed something like the 50 tallest mountains in North America and plans to climb Mount Everest later this summer.

Other projected guest instructors include:

• Patrick Yates, who was named the outstanding water polo prospect at last year's Sports Festival; 
• Dr. M. Mahan, Dallas chiropractor and consultant to Olympic teams; 
• Bob Fix, Baylor's strength coach; 
• Larry Newell, Baylor physical education professor whose specialty is golf; and 
• Shirley Early, yoga instructor.

“But we can't schedule any of these outstanding people,” Rauterkus says frankly, "until we build up our classes to ensure a proper forum."

For Rauterkus, sessions with the experts are vitally important to creative conditioning, which he terms "fitness participation with some understanding of why you're doing it" or "working out for a reason.

People don't like to work out with pain for no gain," he says simply. “This gives us a chance to be educated as we are doing the exercises."

The weekly two-hour sessions consist of a one-hour group workout, a half-hour of optional activity (tennis, golf, weights, swimming), and a half-hour group discussion or instruction by a specialist in a particular field.

“At Lions Park," Rauterkus says, "we have the use of the swimming pool and tennis courts adjacent to it. There is ample area for jogging on the Heart O’ Texas Coliseum grounds or at Paul Tyson Field or we can go in convoy to the Baylor track.

“But we're not limited to just those activities. For example, if someone can improve a part of his fitness by taking up golf, we can arrange for that. We may turn someone onto golf that never played golf before.

“Essentially, this is a cross-training program, one that stresses variety," Rauterkus says. "We urge our clientele to adapt a game to suit a conditioning need. If that happens to be swimming, we can have more swimming at Lions Pool. It's up to the clientele, as well as the individual."

Originally, the 10-week program was projected to cost $20 for each participant. But that price will be adjusted for those taking part just the last eight weeks only.

"That (the price of the sessions) is not that important,” says Rauterkus, “we can adjust it with the individual. The main thing is to let him know he can improve himself physically and enjoy it and learn something about what he's doing at the same time."

UCLA Bruins - Ron Ballatore

I loved what Coach Ballatore was delivering. I wish I had known him better. 

Sadly, UCLA would close its men's swim program some years later. 

From Dr. Jan Prins - Hawaii Rainbows

Letter from Skip Kenney at Stanford

PSU letter from MacNeill

Letter to swim parents for lessons

Learn-to-Swim's Adult Information 

Dear Parents, 

Welcome to swim lessons. 

Here are some of the general ground rules needed for the smooth operation of our program this summer. 

The gate will open for entry into the pool area at the top of the hour. Lessons will start on time, and we will begin with a warm-up period for the swimmer's large muscles. Our primary goal is to improve swimming ability, but we also will strive to improve fitness, strength, motor skills and teach the children to enjoy the water. 

At least five minutes of free time will be given to the groups at the end of each lesson. At this time our instructors will still be working with some of the swimmers. Everyone must exit the pool area 45 minutes after the hour. 

Parents must stay off of the pool deck at all times. This keeps the swimmer's attention focused only on the teachers, and the teachers will have no interference while providing the best possible lessons for your children. Everyone will benefit from this positive learning environment. We appreciate you cooperation by watching the lessons from outside the fenced area. 

To facilitate signing up for lessons, Pre-Registration will be held on Friday of the last day of lessons. Pre-Registration is exclusively for those people who are currently enrolled in lessons and plan on continuing in the next session. 

Registration is held on the Saturday mornings which split the different sessions of lessons. Registration is held every other week at Lions Park Pool. 

Late-Registration is held on the first day of lessons which start every two-week session. 

As we reach our capacity of swimmers, we sometimes are forced to close classes and adjust the numbers to have a balanced size throughout the different class times. 

Remember, any child, at any age, is accepted into the swimming lessons as long as he or she can function in a group setting. registering the child for the lessons, you have certified that 

By the child is ready for group lessons. 

This summer the city is proud to expand its Learn-to-Swim lessons with Water Babies. Our first class will be offered in conjunction with the second session of the Learn-to-Swim program, starting on June 13. More information on these classes, sometimes called Mother-Infant Swimming, is available at the front desk. Feel free to pass the word about this new endeavor since we will be teaching as many classes as the demand merits. 

If you are looking for something extra, the instructors will be happy to talk to the parents to arrange some private swimming instruction for the children at other times in the summer. The private lessons are much more expensive and an information sheet can be obtained at the front desk. 

Another program offered by the Waco Parks and Recreation Department at Lions Pool is the Saturday morning Creative Conditioning program. These programs are intended to get older children, called Wet Workouts, and adults, called Aqua Athletes, to the pool while participating in a fitness program. Please get our information sheets at the front desk and consider these new, Saturday-morning programs. 

In the event of bad weather, the lessons are still held as usual. On colder mornings the staff will be teaching. Sometimes cold weather reduces the class size, so more can be accomplished with those who brave the elements. Lightning storms are the only v cause for not holding the lessons. At the end of the summer, we will hold make-up days for each canceled class. If need be, the first make-up lesson will be on August 8. 

All problems, suggestions, recommendations and comments must be directed to the lesson leader, Mark Rauterkus. To contact him, leave a message with the aide at the front desk. 

We encourage both the adults and the children to come to the pool as often as possible for fun and some added practice. Swimming is a great family activity. 

Thanks, 

The Staff

Dr. Jan Prins, of Hawaii, would have been a great experience too.

I love Dr. Prins work, especially his book, The Illustrated Swimmer. 

ASU Sun Devils - Ron Johnson

Letter to gear up for summer swim team

Dear Swimmer:

The Peoria Area Water Wizards will begin its summer season on Monday, June 6 and will continue until August 12. The tentative workout schedule is as follows:

Monday Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

5:00-6:00 p.m.

7:30-9:00 a.m.

5:00-6:00 p.m.

7:30-9:00 a.m.

5:00-6:00 p.m.

Friday

In addition to these workouts, P.A.W.W. will participate in the following meets this summer:

Redbirds Classic, Normal, IL, June 11-12, A-B Sterling Stingray, Sterling, IL, June 18-19, A-B Kankakee YMCA, Kankakee, IL, June 25-26 Springfield USA, Springfield, IL, July 8-10, A-B Peoria Journal Star Tri-County, Peoria, IL, July 22-23

As in the past, a monthly coaching fee of $12.50 entitles a swimmer to par- ticipate in all practices and meets. Where applicable, any meet entry fee is the responsibility of the swimmer. Also, the payment for United States Swimming registration is the responsibility of the swimmer. U.S.S. applications are available at Central Park Pool. This summer, the Peoria Park District is offering several variations of program payments. These variations are:

1. $28.00 Summer Advance Payment - This payment entitles a swimmer to participate in all practices and meets from June 6 through August 12. Swimmers must pay their own meet entry fees and U.S.S. registration fee.

2. $12.50 Monthly Payment (August - $6.25) - Monthly payments are due the first day of each month and entitles a swimmer to participate in all practices and meets for the paid month. Swimmers must pay their own entry fees and U.S.S. registration fee.

3. $10.00 Summer Meet Administration Fee - This payment allows a swimmer who is not attending practice sessions to participate in swim meets as a P.A.W.W. swimmer. Swimmers must pay their own meet entry fees and U.S.S. registration fee.

Please note that the Meet Administration Fee must be paid by a swimmer who is not paying P.A. W. W. coaching fees if that swimmer wishes to enter U.S.S. meets as a registered P.A.W.W. swimmer. This option will allow all Peoria swimmers to participate in meets for P.A. W. W. even though they are practicing with another club (e.g. country club, RCSA, etc.).

As in the past, all meet entry information will be posted at Central Park Pool.

Thank you for your continued support of the Peoria Area Water Wizards.

Sincerely,

Cover letter for job search

This letter to American wasn't sent, as I still had it in my files. But, others like it went out to dozens of possible employers. 

Cover letter to Apply to Don Gambril, Alabama,

I never worked nor even visited Alabama, but I would one day, about 6 years later, publish Don's book, Tide Teamwork. 

Years later, Alabama was good to admit our younger son into the honors program due to test score and grades -- with a fine tuition scholarship. He too would not visit. But, the sense of being accepted at some university, was a joy and big sense of relief for him.

Mark Rauterkus resume

Letter of Reference for Mark Rauterkus from Baylor Univ and Larry Newell

Reference from Larry at Baylor

Fort Stockton Pathers

Never interviewed. 

Waco Tribune-Herald

Once upon a time, as I was ending my graduate program at Baylor in Physical Education, I went for an interview at a newspaper for a plain old reporters job. I had a journalism degree. 

Baylor's requirements to get a Education Certificate were steep

So,  asked about what it would take to get an Education Certificate to teach in Texas -- given I was in a Masters Program in the School of Education for HPERD.

It wasn't good news. 

The To Be Done column was more than was willing to tackle. 

Teaching in the schools wasn't my plan. This cemented the deal. 

PE Proud, softball squad news

P .E . Proud Punishes Opponents

 

P .E . Proud's 9-2 pummeling of the Pie Pledges perpetuated Proud's perfect pennant

performance by providing a playoff position in the second week of Division 17 A softball.

Last week the team managed to mathematically double the sum of their season-long-win streak , two.

But print or prose could not properly describe the psychology or perceptiveness of this presumptuous family of fly-ball wizards. Perhaps, game MVP, Mary Beth Welsh, best personified the peppered play by her 11 put-outs at first base.

P . E , Proud's next game will be at 4:30 on Tuesday, April 5.

P . R. Director , Mark Rauterkus , announced Team Picture Day to precede this upcoming game.

"We thought it would be a good treat for our faithful fans , and we had to take some measures to protect our pitching staff from the gobs of autograph seekers," he said.

Larry Newell, Baylor's swim coach and Pitt's connection

CLEVER COACH searching for a pround organization needing a teacher, manager, friend and full-time leader.

Swimming World magazine would post classified ads for both those needing to hire as well as others searching for positions. 

Swimming World and Dick Deal letter - paid

Teaching assistants are vital to the educational community at Baylor

Going to be a GRAD Teaching Assistant at Baylor - first semester's assignements

Blood test with HDL, LDL, lab results

Report Card

Report Card at Ohio U

Zoo 151, worse than 150. Begging for that C-minus.

Resume of Mark Rauterkus - senior in college

Took the GRE Exam. Needed an admission ticket.

At 8:15 am, take the aptitude test. No advance test. 

OU Schedule

Going to NCAA DI Swimming & Diving Championships

Long story.

Swimmers run article by Coach Mark to Swimming Technique

Article in PDF on the wiki.

Report Card

Taking 21 credits. Had to pay extra. The limit was 20 per quarter.

Tried to get hired at Texas with Eddie Reese

Always great to have Eddie's autograph.

This is what transcripts looked like at OHIO U

Homework: Letter seeking to publish a magazine article about an OU diver

Recruitment letter from Baylor University to Mark Rauterkus

Ideal situation at Baylor, letter from Dr. Richard Couey

Letter on OU Bobcat letterhead from Mark Rauterkus to Swimming World

Bob Ingram, Editor
Swimming World and Junior Swimmer
PO Box 45497
Los Angeles, California 90045

Dear Mr. Ingram,

Run. "No thanks coach. I like the water. It protects me when I trip."

A socialized water wizard thrives chlorinate stench, broad shoulders and the arrival of the latest time standard. These youngsters seem to be bred for water with gills, fins and bleach-blond hair. And, gold-medal-swimming attitudes make swimmers believe that the best and only way to supplement a swim program is with more swimming -- not running.

Beginning an enthusiastic running program takes trickery, security, challenges and a multi-million-dollar contingency contract. 

Coaches fail to realize this and do not prepare for the dry-land sessions. Many coaches have started their teams with running but have quit because it does not come naturally. Vital originality and spunk is needed to keep a fish out of the water. 

In an article on my program, I can explain a three season plan. It has the coach's reasoning, methods and results. Swimmers response and black-and-white photos are possible. The well incorporated scheme gets the most out of a running swim team.

I have coached with the Ohio University men, Athens Swim Club Otters, Bernal's Gator Swim Club, Greater Pittsburgh Swim Club and some summer clubs. 

Does this idea interest you? I will be looking for your reaction. 

Sincerely,

Mark Rauterkus
345 West State
Athens, Ohio 45701
614- (athletics)

614- (pool)

Looking at UNC for grad school -- letters 1 and 2

From December 1981.

Then the second is from January, 1982.

I'd go to Baylor University instead.

UNC had some nice majors to consider.

Old school paper from a coaching course, vintage 1981 or 1982

My Goals as a Coach

By Mark Rauterkus, from 1982 Coach Course at Ohio University

I have strong feelings that coaching, like all of athletics, is influenced by luck. The luck involved in coaching is related to finding the proper coaching setting that best suits the coaching style, philosophy and needs.

Most of my coaching goals revolve around the perfect coaching situation. It is somewhat of a challenge to be hired by a special team who will welcome the coach with open arms, open checkbooks and with no strings attached.

When I find that great job, I’d be able to be established for the long-term project of developing the team and the athletes. My teams are driven hard toward success. Success needs identification, and my teams have personal and team goals.

One of my goals is to be the best in my state, association or conference. Some coaches I know have higher goals. They want to be a contender on the national level. They drive their swimmers to international goals. I feel this is like hitting your head against a wall. A coach can not make the best swimmers in the world. A coach can make the best swimmers in the state.

Most people, given a great coach and years of work, can contribute to a team effort at the state level of competition.

My last goal, once I get established in the ideal position which is breeding winner after winner, is to enjoy it. I want to have fun coaching. I wonder about coaching burn-out and boredom. I realize that doing the right job at coaching is a hard task that never quits.

To help me cope, I’ll need to have a good source of recovery and recreation at the end of the season and at the end of each day. Coaching is so intense that I will have to blow-off steam in other areas.

Another reason for better mental health and satisfying recreation is to save the ego from poolside failures . A coach can not win all the time. Sometimes a coach is so tied to the team that a loss is damaging to the individual. Other reinforcers to help bolster the identity and ego are important for long-term happiness in the coaching profession.

At this time I am too young to know where these other satisfactions will be derived from. I have always been one to have a few projects developing on the sidelines.

For the not so distant future, I would like to work on a full-time basis in a productive program. It is time for me to live off of my coaching income. I have developed my coaching skills and lived like a slave all my life. Now I am in the process of marketing my skills in an attempt to garner a regular paycheck. I am not interested in any further employment for the sake of "experience" rather than fInancial support.

Some of the most attractive jobs for the next few years are at the university level. In a campus setting I could coach most of the time and still be around the books in case I should feel the urge to read.

Who knows what the future holds? 

Like I said at the top of the paper, Luck is important. 

The harder I work,the luckier I get.