Remembering a coaching legend
Friends, family and swimmers alike gathered Sunday to celebrate and commemorate the life of former IU swimming coach James "Doc" Counsilman, who passed away Jan. 4 at the age of 83. The Whittenberger Auditorium was filled to the brim with anyone and everyone whose life was touched by Counsilman, including more than 20 Olympic swimmers. Counsilman coached swimming at IU for more than 30 years and led the team to 23 conference titles, including 20 consecutive conference championships from 1961 to 1980. He also coached two of the most successful U.S. Olympic teams in history in the 1964 and 1976 squads. The 1976 team won 12 of 13 possible gold medals, and Counsilman led swimmers to set world records in every single event. But his greatest contribution came in the form of a book titled "The Science of Swimming," master of ceremonies and former coach Cecil Colwin said.

