Bill Palmer (swim coach)
Bill Palmer was an American swim coach for the AAU Central Jersey Aquatic Club, coaching the team from 1961 to 1988, and leading them to an AAU National Championship in 1976. Palmer's Shore Aquatic Club which he founded in 1961, became known as the Central Jersey Aquatic Club around 1972 when it merged with Rutger's swimming coach Frank Elm's Scarlet Jets, an AAU team. During his long coaching career which included coaching the Durango Masters after 1996, Palmer coached several American Olympic swimmers including 1968 Olympic team alternate Cathy Corcione, as well as 1976 Olympians Kathy Heddy, and gold medalist Wendy Boglioli. South African swimmer Jonty Skinner trained with Palmer at the Central Jersey Aquatic Club before becoming a world record holder in the 100-meter freestyle at the Senior AAU Nationals in Philadelphia in August, 1976.
Palmer in August, 1976 | |
Biographical details | |
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Born | June 13, 1938 West Long Branch, New Jersey |
Died | December 30, 2020 82) Durango, Colorado | (aged
Alma mater | Monmouth University |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1961 | Shore Aquatic Club |
1970–1988 | Central Jersey Aquatic Club Formerly Shore Aquatic Club |
1996- | Durango Masters Swim Team |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Championships | |
1976 AAU National Championship (Central Jersey Aquatic Club) | |
Awards | |
Coach of the Year (United States Masters Swimming) | |