Coach Charles E. Silvia Testimonial Celebrations brochure, Nov. 10, 1967
Description:
A brochure created for the celebrations of Coach Charles E. Silvia, Springfield College Swimming and Diving coach, held on Nov. 10, 1967. The brochure, titled "Coach Charles E. Silvia Testimonial" celebrates his life as a coach, teacher, and aquatic sport innovator. It includes descriptions of some of his most famous swimmers at Springfield College and his swimming school, the Pine Knoll Swim School. Some of the swimmers featured in the brochure are Don Schoolander, Buster Crabe, William Yorzyk (1956 US Gold Medalist), and Johnny Weissmuller among others. Also listed at the end are signatures and well wishes from many different swimmers and supporters. Charles “Red” Eaton Silvia (January 3, 1911—June 16, 1998), earned his BS (1934) and MPE (1940) from Springfield College and began working there in 1937. In 1949, he published “Life Saving & Water Safety Today.” As one of the nation’s outstanding swim coaches, he coached more than two-hundred Springfield College athletes to All-American status, including SC Alumnus William A. Yorzyk, an Olympic Gold Medalist in the 1956 200-meter butterfly. In 1956, he also served as Assistant Coach of the United States Olympic Swimming Team. Silvia also coached Dr. Davis Hart to his record-breaking English Channel swim from England to France in 1972. He has been honored as NCAA District I Coach of the Year (1970), was named to the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame (1973), and served as the chairman of the board of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Silvia has received numerous other accolades for his coaching achievements, including being named Springfield College’s Distinguished Professor of Humanics in 1976.
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