U.S. Masters Swimming Club of the Year Award
| Recipient: | Indy Aquatic Masters |
| Year: | 2020 |
| LMSC: | Indiana |
Indy Aquatic Masters (IAM) was built on the combined energy and leadership of its swimmers, coaches, and board of directors who all just want to swim and the key to their success was interpersonal relationships.
The pandemic presented safety and financial challenges, and the club came together by making their swim practices safe, continuing to pay dues, and donating to team mates who lost jobs. The team appreciated and needed swimming even more.
IAM’s success as a team with over 300 swimmers was due to many reasons. USMS certified Coaches were on deck at each of their 40 practices at 5 pools and workouts were designed to begin and end sets as a group. Swimmers goals were divided into 3 tailored program categories, fitness, competitive, and triathletes. Regular hosted swimming events provided competition opportunities and raised income to support their program. Events included USMS National Championships, ePostals, Open Water Championships, and a USMS sanctioned swim clinic. An incentive program was used to award team merchandise credit for meet participants. USMS Club Finder tool inquiries were responded to within 24 hours and included a free trial offer to each prospective member. 450 adult students were taught swimming by 15 ALTS instructors. They created a promotional video, a weekly enewsletter, and a Facebook page. Discounted membership rates were offered to groups such as teachers, swimmers over 65, parents of age group swimmers, military, students, and local tri-club members. IAM supported their community and raised funds for local organizations such as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, City Police, and Joy’s House. Good relationships were made through communication with the Indiana swimming community including YMCAs, Universities, private swim clubs, Parks and Recreation, and USA Swimming leaders. Most importantly, IAM provided many opportunities to get together at an annual banquet dinner, a Florida swimcation, post-workout breakfasts, and pub nights.