- Paul Blair (swimming)
Paul Barr "Coach" Blair (1949 –
November 8 ,2006 was aswim coach who specialized in sprint training. He was known for the many sprinters he trained to the highest level of swimming competition. Blair was one of the first coaches to emphasize that in order to sprint, you must practice sprinting. In fact, most sprint coaches today have based their swim workouts on Blair's method. Coach Blair has trained many notable swimmers, includingJohn Hargis (Olympic gold medalist), Steve Crocker,Doug Boyd ,Kicker Vencill ,Matt Weghorst ,Bobby O'Bryan ,Tom Genz ,Noel Strauss , andManuel Twillie .Blair was known around the world for his sprinting methods, which became apparent through the accomplishments of his swim team, the
Arkansas Dolphins , based inLittle Rock, Arkansas .Fact|date=July 2008 Blair led the Dolphins to a men's U.S. Open title in 1988 and then a men's National title in 1989 in less than ten years as head coach.Blair was the head coach and owner of the Arkansas Dolphins. He was also Associate Head Coach for the
UALR Trojans Women's Swim Team.He served on the Olympic International Operations Committee and is past Vice-President of the American Swim Coaches Association. He served as the Head Coach for the USA World Championship team, as coach for the National Junior Team at the Youth Olympic Festival, and as men's coach at the World University Games. He was a Nike Advisory Coach and USA National Team Coach.
In the fall of 2006, his health declined. After a three year battle with
prostate cancer , Blair died on the morning ofNovember 8 ,2006 .Team Championships
*1988 US Open Men’s Team Champions [http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/ViewMiscArticle.aspx?TabId=920&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en&mid=2680&ItemId=2250 Results]
*1989 US Men’s Team National Champions [http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/ViewMiscArticle.aspx?TabId=160&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en&mid=471&ItemId=2192 Results]
*57 Arkansas State Age Group Championships
*10 time Region VIII Team ChampionsIndividual Achievements
*6 US National Champions
*1 US Open National Champion
*12 Junior National Champions
*2 Olympic Festival Gold Medalists
*35 National Age Group Champions
*17 National Age Group Records
*7 Masters National Champions
*1 Pan American Silver Medalist
*25 World Ranked Swimmers
*25 Olympic Trials Qualifiers
*4 Pan Pacific Team Members
*6 Olympic Swimmers
*1 World Team Silver Medalist
*1 Olympic Gold MedalistExternal links
* [http://www.ruebelfuneralhome.com/obituaryindividual.php?id=151 Obituary]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.