Description

We begin this episode with a lengthy recitation of achievements by this noted coach and educator, but here are some highlights, courtesy of ASCA:

Coaching Since: 1977
Northside Aquatics

• Developed 52 Texas high school State (UIL) gold medalists.
• Coached over 285 high school All-Americans.
• USA Olympic Trials qualifiers in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000.
• Produced 6 Olympians in three different sports (swimming, triathlon and pentathlon).
• Olympic swimmers from 3 different countries (USA, Nicaragua and Algeria)

Coach George Block retired from the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas at the end of June 2009, where he served as the Director of Aquatics since 1977 and Assistant Director of Athletics since 1993. In that time, he developed the Northside Aquatic Center into an internationally recognized center for athlete development.

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Timeline for this episode:

00:01 – Disclaimer

00:21 – George Block bio

02:10 – San Antonio drownings

05:28 – Benefits of the sport

07:07 – Cell phone vs. swim lessons

08:03 – Introducing George Block

08:33 – Long course water

10:20 – AAAA

14:40 – The “D” word

15:15 – Northside Swim Center

16:11 – Acronym overload

20:13 – Limited Texas options

24:38 – WSCA & anti-doping

30:32 – New testing technology

33:44 – Long-term consequences

34:55 – Pan Zhanle

35:35 – Team USA issues

39:22 – Mike Unger

44:48 – Training the world

47:55 – What hasn’t changed?

50:13 – Flunking retirement

54:59 – Wrapping it up