[Deathwatch] Richard Quick, swim coach, 66

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Legendary college swim coach Richard Quick dies

Friday, June 12, 2009

By BRIAN DAVIS

Richard Quick, an icon in the swimming world who grew up in Dallas and
became the most successful coach in collegiate swimming, died late
Wednesday in Austin after a six-month battle with an inoperable brain
tumor. He was 66.

A Highland Park graduate, Quick helped start the SMU women's swimming
program and captured 12 NCAA titles as the head coach at Texas and
Stanford. He also led the Auburn men's program to an NCAA title last
year.

Doctors discovered the tumor last December. Soon after, the Richard
Quick Endowment was established by Swim Across America to help raise
money and awareness for cancer research.

Longtime UT swimming coach Eddie Reese said the secret to Quick's
success was that he put everyone ahead of himself.

"He took care of people and had a passion for this sport," Reese said.
"He definitely was passionate about swimming, all aspects of it."

Quick started the SMU women's program in 1976. He left to coach the
Iowa State men's program during the 1977-78 season, before the first of
his two coaching stops at Auburn.

Quick guided Auburn until 1982 and then took over the UT women's
program, which captured five straight NCAA titles from 1984 to 1988. He
then left for Stanford and led the Cardinal to seven NCAA team titles.

Quick is survived by his wife, June, along with four children (Michael,
Kathy, Tiffany and Benjamin) and two grandchildren. Funeral
arrangements are pending.


Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary