Rejection letter from Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Spring, professional football -- Pittsburgh Maulers

The Pittsburgh Maulers were a one hit wonder in the USFL only playing for the inaugural '84 season. The team had a number of well known players including first pick and Heisman running back Mike Rozier. Their home opener saw a sold-out crowd at Three Rivers Stadium, and although the team was competitive in on-field play, they only managed to win 3 games throughout the season. The following year when the league decided to switch to a fall schedule, league management knew that they would not be able to compete for fans with the Steelers and did not return for the '85 season.

PAWW update in year 1 of Mark's tenure

PAWW 

Last year PAWW finished the Lincolnland Conference Meet in last place. This year the team has done a "flip-flop" and wants to do the same with its placing at this meet. PAWW considers this a most important meet. This year the team wants to challenge the past champions and definitely improve their last place ranking. 

In the fall, a new head coach arrived in town. With a new staff, the team swelled with excitement and 200 swimmers in two weeks! Since then the numbers have become more manageable and now only the dedicated and serious remain. The year was spent coaching the basics of the sport and fitness. The team has groups: I, II, III, IV, and a Novice program. 

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The team and staff have set its sights on the top of the swimming mountain. It's a long trek to the top, especially from the September starting point. But PAWW has traveled through the foothills and can now see that mountain top ahead. In fact, some of our teammates are climbing up the steep slopes already. 

The team has united the Peoria Area and serves people who attend various schools (at least 12 high schools). Swimmers without high school sponsored swim teams train with PAWW, and they attend district and state meets representing their high school. 

PAWW's hardest job centers around our high schoolers since they have not had the benefits of a fruitful age group experience. Mark needs to push the group I age group team into an aspiring Senior team that competes in meets and practices like seniors should. When this is accomplished, a national team will be the next major goal. 

Lincolnland is the most important meet of this team's history. We are striving for a spirited meet which will assure an excellent first time experience for many of our swimmers. PAWW will have a tem of twenty at J.0.'s. Eight qualified for Senior Championships! Sheila Dempsey was fourth at State in 100 yard Fly and Peter Hastings made consolations in three events in one day. 

Mark said, "Keeping track of the PAWW feats in its future seasons should be a pleasurable experience for the Peoria area swimming families who don't mind the pains of commitment. just might be on our way to forming a national team!!!! 

"Oh, don't get too far ahead of yourself, Mark," said a skeptic. 

The coach replied, "Don't worry I'm patient." 

PAWW coaching staff 

PAWW Coaches

HEAD COACH, MARK RAUTERKUS; At the beginning of the season Mark had many impressive, idealist dreams for this team and through hard work, in a short period of time, has had flourishing re- turns of those endeavors. Mark has patience and a positive attitude and he knows that the coaching staff cannot build an all-encompassing, quality program without time and the assistance of parents. A brief synopsis of Mark's coaching and educational background are as follows. He has assisted on both the age group and college swim team levels; and most recently completed his Masters in Recreation at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. Presently, Mark's main concern is the team and it's swimmers. He was hired by the Peoria Park District as a full-time coach and because of his hard work and devotion he has turned PAWW's swim program around and made them one of the finest in the state. 

TOM BUREK: Tom's main job is with the 8 and under swimmers, and what a job that is. He works five nights a week with over 40 swimmers, all of which are 8 years or younger, but because of Tom's calm, cool and patient personality he has done a super job with our young minnows. Tom is a graduate of Richwoods High School were he was a member of the swim team for three years; and received his B.A. at Illinois State. Tom has five years experience as head coach of the Willow Knolls Country Club swim team-- which has over 120 swimmers of all age groups and abilities. 

DUWEE ENGSTROM: DuWee does a little bit of everything. He helps Mark out with the work-outs and whatever else he has for him to do. He also works with Tom and the 8 and unders twice a week. DuWee just finished a 4-year degree in Speech Communications from the University of Illinois. He swam for the U of I for three years until developing tendonitis in his shoulders. Before attend- ing the U of I, Duwee graduated from Limestone High School where he was a state IHSA Qualifier in the 50 yard freestyle. DuWee has worked as an instructor and pool manager at Lake Camelot for several summers; and three years ago started the Lake Camelot swim team-- which has developed into a fine area summer program. 

SCOTT HERREL; Scott works very closely with Mark and the senior swimmers. Scott has acquired a lot of knowledge in swimming, through past experience, which he is able to share with the senior swimmers. Scott is currently a 5 th year senior student at Bradley University, During the past four years, Scott was a member of the BU swim team where he currently holds the 200 I.M. school record. Scott was captain of Bradley's swim last year and an Inter-Collegiate Champ- ion in the 200 fly. Before coming to Peoria, Scott swam for the Parkway swim club in St. Louis; and qualified for five National Junior Olympic Championships. 

PAWW coaching staff 

MIKE HERRIN: Mike is a great split man he helps out a lot with everything, especially the book work. Mike is currently teaching Physical Education for grades k-5 in Tremont. This is his 13th year of teaching at Tremont. Previous coaching experience has been mostly at the high school level (cross country, basketball, track and field). He has also coached in youth leagues with 6-10 year olds. 

Mike is, personally, very much involved in the field of physical fitness, including swimming, bicycling, and running. He has coached the Tremont Swim Club the past three summers-- approximately 70 boys and girls of all age groups participating each summer. 

PATTI CURRAN: Patti probably has one of the hardest jobs, and that is teaching the beginner swimmers how to do all four strokes -CORRECTLY-, then she passes them on to the rest of the coaches where they pick up the endurance and finer points of swimming. Patti attended Richwoods High School where she was a 4-year letterman on the girls swim team. A recent graduate from Stevens College in Missouri, Patti also participated on the swim team there for 4 years. She has worked many summer life-guarding and teaching swim lessons. 

Patti is also a Certified Scuba Diver. 

PAWW SWIMMERS' PROFILES 

Bryan Kramer, Captain 

Bryan is a sprinter-freestyler who has made some respectable times this winter. He is approaching the 50 second barrier in the 100 and has yet to go 22 in the 50. He could be looking at college scholarships if he spends a lot of time looking at the bottom of a pool the next year. Success breeds more success and Bryan is ready to work and grab some more Hi-point awards (Rockford A-B). 

Tim Pilcher, Team Captain 

Tim started the season at 2:04 for the 200 Free. At high school District he sped to third place and a 1:54 time. He also swam a 1:00 100 yard fly. 

Tim is one of our many who needs more intensity, distance and weight. All will be available this summer. Tim is a happy person who gets along with everyone. The coaches are dreaming of many great things from Tim in and around the pool. 

Jenny Pottgen, 10, Captain 

Jenny is our best 10-U girl in a very fast Lincoln- land Age Group. She is a captain and has wonderful swimming smarts at such a young age. She is a thinker with great perceptions and terrific self-drive. Jenny has made great strides for a smoother stroke. She is on the verge of a few more J.0. cuts. Jenny's little sister, Heather, (8-U) is equally intense and promising with potential. 

Brad Roberts, Captain 

Brad is going to be dropping his times and is predicted to have one of the best tapers on the team. The main reason for the drops is a recent devotion to swimming fast and three weeks of A.M. practices. Brad was voted by his teammates as a captain for this meet. Brad started the season as a fast follower now he is a leader - headed to J.0.'s in a handful of events. 

Brad's Dad is a PAWW Board Member in charge of Dual Meets. 

Brad was one of the top 5 in the state as an 8- Under. Brad is a twin of Chad Roberts. Chad has a different physical and personal character. Chad has made great improvements this season, and he is not finished improving. Someday he will be quick too. 

Durbins 

The Durbins are quite an arsonal. In fact, there is a whole fleet of them. The Durbin girls give depth to the team in four age-groups. They are like a mini-Navy. 

The youngest is J.J. cut in the Navy her initials would be P.T. She is the smallest, 

She is the smallest, crafty and daring. Her times are dropping because her workouts are swum in a most aggressive manner. However, on the deck or in the port, she is still reserved. 

Kate is the next in line. She is our sleek battleship. She is a fighter and especially quick in sprint free, fly and relays. 

Lisa is the 13-14 year old with the fire-power of a destroyer. When strength, training, technique combine with her talent, she will be an asset to the senior program. 

Stephanie is a high school sophomore. She is valuable like an aircraft carrier and can let loose an array of attacks in all sorts of directions at the same time. She is the air-force and navigator of communications. 

The mother, Mrs. Durbin, is the Parent's Club Treasurer and is the Navy's Admiral. Meanwhile Mr. Durbin is more the silent type who works behind the scenes as all master-builders do. 

All the girls are on PAWW's A-Relay teams. 

Mark has high expectations of the girls and in the next few years promises excellent performances on state and regional levels. By the way, we are glad the Durbins dock their real boats on the Illinois River at the Ivy Club and not at Central Park Pool. But more importantly, we are glad the Durbins dock their swimmers in the pool with PAWW. 

PAWW Parents Organization wishes all the PAWW'S good luck best times! 

Swim hard, Kevin and all PAWW Swimmers! Bonnie Meek 

Go PAWW Swimmers! Dean and Barb Grethey 

Swim Fast and Hard--Stephanie, Lisa, Katy, J.J. Steve and Marilynn Durbin 

and all PAWW Swimmers 

Go Andrea--Erica and all PAWW Swimmers! 

Go for you "A" time, Nicole! Mom and Dad 

"Fly Katharine, Ely!" The Lambs 

Terry and Ilene Wisniewski 

Go Greg Pip and the PAWW Team! Tom and Cathie Pipkins 

Go for it!--Bill and Amy! From Bill and Sally Compton 

Good Luck, PAWW! Rog and Betsy Mitchell 

Lower times, Barry & Sheila, and all PAWW Swimmers! Bernie & Pat Dempsey 

Go Molly & PAWW! Lark and Pat Sullivan 

Go For It, Duke! Jim and Linda Froeschle 

"Go For It, Bryan!" Love Mom and Dad 

Go Matt Kohr--Get More J000 Cuts! 

Good Luck PAWW Swimmers! 

Chuck and Pam Kohr 

Good Luck Backstrokers!! Jack, Judy, John & Mark Stromberger 

Best Times!--All PAWW Swimmers! Ray and Flora Knutson 

Swim Tough Marcus & Robin! from Lyndsay Whitfield 

Steamatic says go Chad, Brad and PAWW 

"You Gotta Wanna. . . Tim!" Kirsten Vruwink 

Photo of Mark

Date, unsure. 

Team jumped to capacity with word of mouth buzz, by September 22 -- upon arrival at the end of August

The prior year, the PAWW team had less than 30 swimmers. In summers, none swam with PAWW. We had a fun "Meet the Coach Night" and things zoomed forward. 

Joining the Peoria Area Water Wizards was the talk of the town. Coaches were hired. Expansion was through the roof. We had to pump the brakes. 

Letter of reference for Mark Rauterkus from City of Waco, Texas

Wish you were here photo from New Jersey boardwalk on a bike built for four

College Courses - Summary -- Undergrad and Graduate Levels

Classified Ad -- seeking employment placed in Swimming World

Bike built for four - Sisters

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