In the late 1960s into the early 1970s, Doc Counsilman’s Indiana University swimming program was a focal point of the sport. His legendary teams were a dominant presence not just on the collegiate scene, but also on the national—and international—stage. BY JOHN LOHN
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ords were not necessary. All that was required was a glance around the natatorium. A look at the banners that celebrated past championships...A look at the honor roll of Olympians...The intensity and purpose that defined the workouts taking place in the pool...The concentration in the eyes of the coach monitoring the work that was underway. When Doc Counsilman took the reins of the Indiana program in 1957, the Big Ten Conference belonged to Michigan and Ohio State. Within a few years, though, Counsilman shifted the balance of power to the Hoosier State, and that control endured for two decades, with Indiana also emerging as a major force at all levels of competition. From 1961 to 1980, Counsilman led the Hoosiers to 20 consecutive Big Ten Conference crowns, and Bloomington, Ind. became a hub for top talent. Athlete after athlete—and team after team—passed along vast expectations in two departments. First, the Hoosiers were going to win, plain and simple. They were going to contend for championships and compete at an elite level. More, they were going to conduct themselves with class, and honor the traits of their coach—humility, dedication and loyalty.
NOBODY BETTER
“I don’t think there has ever been a coach in any American collegiate sport that has done more for his sport or more thoroughly 18
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SWIMMINGWORLD.COM
dominated his sport than Doc Counsilman.” The preceding quote was once uttered by legendary Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight, a man who shared a campus with Counsilman. While the two men were opposites—Knight’s explosiveness contrary to Counsilman’s serenity—there was an appreciation for the success each maintained. And, boy, did Counsilman excel in his profession! Nothing matched what Indiana was able to conjure up during the height of the Counsilman era, defined as the mid-1960s into the mid-1970s. At the 12 NCAA Championships held between 1964 and 1975, Indiana put together a sensational run that included six team titles and five runner-up finishes. During that stretch, the rivalry between Indiana and the University of Southern California (coached by another legend, Peter Daland) was second to none—regardless of the sport. Every year in which Indiana was the second-place finisher at the NCAA Champs, USC was the victor. Meanwhile, in four of Indiana’s championships, Southern Cal was the runner-up.
DYNASTIES AND RIVALRIES
What the University of Texas has done under the guidance of Eddie Reese is certainly worth mentioning in the same breath as Counsilman’s Indiana heyday. Since Reese arrived at Texas in 1979, he has led the Longhorns to 14 NCAA team titles (a record) and
