DEI Grant Information

Michigan Swimming member teams serving low-income and under-represented communities are encouraged to share their vision for developing strong community swim programs with Michigan Swimming. Funds are available to assist these teams in good standing with strengthening their ability to provide their communities with high-quality learn-to-swim and learn-to-swim-better-and-faster programming.

Annual grants of up to $5,000 are available. Additionally, long range programming may be recognized.

If your team is interested in working with Michigan Swimming to develop your program, please contact our DEI Committee for details. Grant applications for this summer are due by May 15 with a May 31 awards decision deadline.



DEI Grant Application – Fill out form

Michigan Swimming Age Group Athlete Summit Reports

I had such a great experience at the Michigan Swimming Athlete Summit, and it honestly changed the way I think about leadership. Going into it, I assumed being a leader just meant having a title, like being a team captain, but I learned more in-depth about what it truly means to be a leader. It’s really about how you treat others and the example you set every day. Leadership involves supporting your teammates, staying positive, including everyone, and putting in consistent effort. Throughout the summit, we took part in several team-building activities that really brought these ideas to life. One activity challenged us to work with different personalities and hear multiple ideas at once, which showed how important communication, open-mindedness, and understanding others can be. It also taught me patience, especially when not everyone thinks or works at the same pace. Another activity involved stacking cups where the leader could only give verbal directions, and it required a lot of patience from both the leader and the team to stay calm, listen carefully, and trust the process. Overall, the summit was a really fun and meaningful experience, and the Athlete Reps, Arden and Nicole, helped create such a welcoming environment where everyone could learn, grow, and connect. I’m really glad I got to be a part of it.

Thanks again,

Rachel King



I had an amazing experience at the Michigan Swimming Athlete Summit. One of the most meaningful lessons I took away was the true definition of a leader. Before attending, I always thought a leader was simply the captain of a team, but I learned that leadership is much deeper, it’s about hard work, kindness, inclusion, encouraging others and more. Throughout the event, we participated in team-building activities that really highlighted these qualities. In one activity, we had to combine different personalities to complete a task, which required strong communication and active listening. Another challenge involved cup stacking, where one leader could only give verbal instructions without physically helping, showing just how important clear communication and teamwork are. Overall, the summit was both fun and educational, and the girls Arden and Nicole who organized it did an incredible job creating an environment where we could learn, grow, and connect. I truly enjoyed my time there.



Maddie Dicks

Michigan Swimming Coaches’ Clinic Review

The April 12 Michigan Swimming Coaches’ Clinic was a great success for the LSC. Special thanks to Coach Dan Ohm for arranging a “Pure Michigan” all-Michigan trio of speakers.

Almost 20 coaches from across the state were in attendance. In order, the speakers were: Hannah DePaul, licensed Physical Therapist, Ann Arbor Swim Club alumnus, and U of M All-American; Chris Thompson, 1500 m free American Record holder and bronze medalist of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, NCAA D-1 1650 y free record holder, Club Wolverine alumnus and coach, and current coach with DCAC; and Jim Richardson, former U of M Women’s Head Coach, and current owner/operator of Wolverine Swim Camps.

The clinic started out with a 30-minute review of our LSC’s performance to assist completion of our bi-annual LEAP evaluation. Lunch followed, and then the great information feed began.

Hannah DePaul opened the presentations focusing on important factors in growth and development of swimmers during adolescence. Boys have a strong trajectory in performance mainly because of the increases in testosterone during teenage years. Girls may have a bumpier performance road during this time due to estrogen increases. Hannah stated that girls will see a stronger trajectory in positive performance as they phase out of puberty and into early adulthood. She also spoke about the importance of developing bone density for bone health during this transition period. Swimming is not one of the best activities for developing bone density, and it is recommended that adolescents also incorporate more weight-bearing exercise into their weekly training (i.e., dry land training). These exercises can be fun and creative to improve the variety, teamwork, and benefit of land work (ex., ultimate frisbee, soccer). Hannah also discussed REDS (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports). Low energy availability is not unusual in athletes. It occurs when energy intake is less than energy expenditure. Studies have shown that less than 30% of swimmers take in sufficient carbohydrates and fats to sustain their daily energy outputs. Important basics for nutrition during training include: pre-practice snack of 30-60 grams of carbohydrates 30-60 minutes before practice (no food, no AM training!); during practice, 30-60 g carbs/hour; and a post-practice snack of carbs and protein within 30 minutes of the conclusion of workout. Signs of REDS include, among other signals, decreased motivation and decreased performance. Hannah also offered Injury Reduction Advice: practice each day with excellent technique and address pain early. Hannah’s presentation will be available for coaches on the MISI website by the end of April.

Chris Thompson followed Hannah with a reflection on his development from an age group swimmer with no sprint speed into the American Record holder in the 1500 m free and NCAA D-1 record holder (for 11 years) in the 1650 y free. He chronicled his rise from swim lessons to having fun on the local team, to getting a new coach at age 12 who recognized his lack of speed and declared him a distance swimmer, to his embracing this distinction and seeking opportunities to improve his training skills, which led to a series of solid time drops from age 14 to 17, which attracted the attention of Jon Urbancek, a commitment to swim at University of Michigan, and the ensuing stellar performances for both U oM and USA Swimming. Chris expressed his gratitude for the challenges presented to him at every level and embraced the work that allowed him to excel. His gratitude is evident as he continues to coach and encourages Michigan Swimming athletes and coaches to talk with him about their goals and how his experience may help them excel.

Coach Jim Richardson wrapped up this clinic with a presentation entitled, “Leading Others.” Jim has been a great mentor and role model for Michigan Swimming coaches from his first days in the late 1980’s as University of Michigan Women Swimming’s Head Coach. Together, Jim and Jon Urbancek shared their incredible expertise and passion for the sport with all coaches on deck at all times of the year. Jim and Jon, along with Peter Linn at EMU, were pivotal in advancing the success of UM and Michigan Swimming during the 1990’s and the following decades. Jim is an active student of many disciplines, including leadership. He shared studies, including attributes of great leaders; how teams behave under various leadership styles; and the RICCH (Responsible, Integrity, Compassion, Competency, Humility) leadership continuum. He used personal stories to reinforce what has worked and what needed improvement in the ongoing development of a successful program and career.

Special thanks again to each of our speakers for their contribution of time and expertise. We learned a lot in a short amount of time! And again, thanks to Dan Ohm for securing Hannah, Chris, and Jim to present at this spring coaches’ clinic.

Open Water Update

Most of the ice has melted on our waterways, and it’s time to consider your open water racing plans for the summer. The Central Zone Open Water Championship is being held June 11-12 at Pleasant Prairie, WI. Qualifying times for this CZ event are the National Motivational "A" time and must be in SWIMS, no exceptions. 10 & Under athletes need at least "A" time in 200 or 400/500 Freestyle, 11-12 athletes need at least "A" time in 200, 400/500, 800/1000 or 1500/1650 Freestyle , and 13/14 & Open athletes need at least "A" time in 400/500, 800/1000 or 1500/1650 Freestyle.

Our Open Water Swimming Committee is working on providing training opportunities throughout the summer and across the state.