The ultimate underdog story of a swim coach who could not swim, a swim club that accepted minorities when others would not, and a group of young swimmers who became Olympic champions. Before the United States was the swimming power it is today, a novice coach named Sherm Chavoor formed a swim club that accepted all swimmers-no matter their religion, race, or social status-and started a dynasty. Following Chavoor's intense and unorthodox coaching methods, his young swimmers quickly began dominating competitions across northern California-and then the world. In Victory in the Pool: How a Maverick Coach Upended Society and Led a Group of Young Swimmers to Olympic Glory, Bill George tells the inspiring story of Sherm Chavoor and his dedicated athletes who rose from obscurity to win twenty Olympic gold medals during the 1960s and '70s. They triumphed in two of the most tumultuous and dangerous Olympic Games ever held, the 1968 Mexico City Games and the 1972 Munich Games marred by the terrorist attack that killed eleven Israeli athletes. Mark Spitz and Debbie Meyer were the two most prominent members of the team, but they were challenged every step of the way by teammates and fellow Olympians Sue Pedersen, Mike Burton, John Ferris, Jeff Float, and more. Featuring exclusive interviews with the athletes and with Sherm Chavoor before he passed away, Victory in the Pool delivers an inside look at this unparalleled time in Olympic history. But more than that, it is the story of young people overcoming incredible odds-often in the face of insults and bigotry and under the intense glare of the spotlight-and coming out triumphant.
Bill George is president and executive producer of Nimbus Films and Books in Sacramento, California. He has written and produced seven award-winning documentary films about California history for PBS and is the author of Rails, Trails and Tales. George has more that forty years' experience in journalism, government public affairs, and corporate marketing. He was an award-winning television and radio journalist who covered the World Series, the Super Bowl, and NFL and MLB playoffs for CNN and ESPN.
Foreword Chapter One: A Place in the World Chapter Two: An Antiquated Mess Chapter Three: A Club to Fit His Vision Chapter Four: Show Me What You Can Do Chapter Five: Get a Good Look at Each Other Chapter Six: The Best Rivalry Going Chapter Seven: Swimming for the Enemy Chapter Eight: Pain and Agony Chapter Nine: It Felt Real Easy Chapter Ten: The Gauntlet Chapter Eleven: The American Girls Were Ready Chapter Twelve: Chalk One Up for the Tall Men Chapter Thirteen: Everybody Had an Agenda Chapter Fourteen: An Absence of Order Chapter Fifteen: The Invincible Americans Chapter Sixteen: "I Got Down On My Knees" Chapter Seventeen: Beat 'em, Murder 'em Chapter Eighteen: Indiana Calling Chapter Nineteen: Everybody's Son Chapter Twenty: The goal of Any Swimmer Chapter Twenty-one: The Friendly Bavarian Capital Chapter Twenty-two: Tact is Overrated Chapter Twenty-three: "Our greatest hopes and our worst fears" Chapter Twenty-four: "I Love You" Chapter Twenty-five: Dogfight References About the Author
With Victory in the Pool, George has achieved his career trifecta, combining his love of sports journalism, history, and Northern California. Even if you're a long-time fan of big-time swimming, the name Sherm Chavoor may not resonate. But you'll enjoy meeting the aptly named Jeff Float and you'll happily recall the names of Olympians such as Mark Spitz and Debbie Meyer. George boasts both a flair for storytelling and an impressive attention to detail. His book sprints to the wall for a well-deserved gold medal. -- Mackie Morris, former Missouri School of Journalism chair, TV news consultant, author, and swim dad Unexpected drama, cliff hanger suspense, the clash of towering personalities... Victory In the Pool is a compelling tale of the late '60s and early '70s chase for Olympic swimming glory. Who knew a book about teenage swimmers would be a page turner? -- John Gibson, former TV reporter, author of The Mickey Judge Mystery series
