Freeman Award Recepients Named
The College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) announces the following recipients of the 2015 Jean Freeman Scholarship:
Tracy Martin, Eastern Michigan University (Head Coach- Peter Linn)
Jessica Hessell, Truman State University (Head Coach- Ed Pretre)
Aleta Kolan, Macalester College (Head Coach- Beth Whittle)
Kyle Berg, Florida Atlantic University (Head Coach- Lara Preacco)
Paul Hughes, Kalamazoo College (Head Coach- Kathy Milliken)
Franco Pacheco, Colby College(Head Coach- Tom Burton)
The Jean Freeman Scholarship is given annually to three male and three female assistant coaches whose exceptional contributions have brought recognition to their college or university, and whose leadership, integrity, honesty, competitive attitude and personal graciousness epitomizes those characteristics reflected by Jean Freeman. The scholarship will provide each of the six selected assistant coaches with the convention fee, transportation and lodging to the annual CSCAA Convention and Clinic. Recipients were selected by a committee comprised of members of The Summit, The Summit for Empowering Women in Swimming, of which Jean was a founding member. The members of the selection committee are Marian Clark, University of Pittsburgh; Anne Goodman James, Colorado College; Stefanie Kerska, Ann Arbor Pioneer (MI); Susan Teeter, Princeton University and Cathy Wright-Eger of Purdue.
Jean Freeman was a pioneer in collegiate women’s athletics who served as a mentor and leader to numerous women and men who have gone on to become head swimming coaches in the collegiate ranks. Jean Freeman swam for the Minnesota Gophers from 1968‐72 and then went on to serve as an assistant coach with the team for one season before being named as the program’s head coach in 1973.
From there, Freeman took the program to new heights and national prominence. During her 31-year tenure in Gold Country, Freeman produced 27 winning seasons; won two Big Ten Championships in 1999 & 2000; won 208 dual meets; coached two National Champions; 14 Big Ten Champions; 175 All Americans; and most of all, enjoyed coaching over 1,000 student-athletes.
Among her many honors and accolades, Freeman was a four-time Big Ten Coach of The Year (1984, 1986, 1996, 1999); collected over 20 American Swimming Coaches Certificate of Excellence Awards; and was inducted into the Minnesota Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1999 she was the recipient of the National Collegiate and Scholastic Swimming Trophy, awarded annually by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. The award is the highest honor In collegiate swimming coaching and Freeman was the first female to win the award in its 41-year history.
In addition to being a highly successful coach, Jean Freeman was a difference maker in the college swimming community. She showed up, spoke up, and got involved to do what was best for our sport. Her influence can be seen on pool decks across the country where she is remembered by many coaches as a mentor, which is why these scholarships in her honor are such a fitting way to honor her memory.
The CSCAA was founded in 1922, the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) – the oldest organization of college coaches in America -is a professional organization of college swimming and diving coaches dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming and diving at the collegiate level.
The CSCAA recognizes outstanding achievements by coaches and swimmers; promotes communication and cooperation both within the sport of swimming and with our fellow Olympic sports; protects, promotes and seeks to expand competitive intercollegiate swimming programs; recommends rules and regulations to the NCAA; sponsors events; certifies new coaches; provides ongoing educational and leadership training for coaches and athletes; and serves as a source of information to its membership and for the general public.