USMS Award Recipient

Capt. Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award


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Recipient: William Tingley
Year: 1998
LMSC: Kentucky

William “Bill” Tingley has had a long history with swimming from primary school through college at Southern Illinois University (SIU) where he won All-American honors in backstroke and as a member on both the 800-free and 400-medley relays. In 1977, Bill wanted to get back into shape and noticed a public service announcement promoting Masters swimming where he worked at the YMCA in Lexington, KY. When he went to the Masters practice there were eight swimmers and they drafted him to coach; he’s been coaching ever since. Bill is the Lakeside Masters Swim Coach in Louisville, KY where he began coaching in 1981.

In 1991, Bill was instrumental in bringing the USAS convention to Louisville and the summer Long Course Nationals to Elizabethtown, about 45 miles to the south.  His suggestions for improving USMS conventions, which he has attended since 1982, were very successful.  When the Kentucky LMSC was formed in 1981, Bill was elected as Chair and he held that role for many years. At the national level, he has served on numerous committees and as chair of both the Convention and Officials Committee.  Bill received the USMS Coach-of-the-Year Award in 1989 and when he won the Ransom J. Arthur Service Award in 1998, he became the first person to have won both. Bill’s many hours towards improving Masters swimming have earned him this award.