Gus Stager
Encyclopedia
Augustus P. "Gus" Stager, Jr. (born circa 1927) was the swimming coach for the 1960 U.S. Olympic team and the swimming coach at the University of Michigan
for 25 years (1955–1979, 1981–1982). His Michigan swimming teams won four NCAA national championships in 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1961. He also led Fordson High School
to Michigan state championships three consecutive years from 1952 to 1954. In total, he swam for or coached on five NCAA champsionship teams, three Michigan high school championship teams, and the 1960 U.S. Olympic team—all before his 35th birthday. In 1982, he was inducted into both the International Swimming Hall of Fame
and the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
. He was also the coach of the U.S. swim team at the 1967 Pan American Games
and the 1973 World Championship (1st place).
in Newark, New Jersey
. Competing on the U.S. Army team from the Philippines, Stager won the 400-meter free-style event at the "Pacific Army Olympics" held in Manila, Philippines in December 1945. He enrolled at the University of Michigan after being discharged from the Army and set a freshman American record in the 200 yard free style in February 1947 with a time of 2:12.3. He went on to become a three-time NCAA finalist, and named to the coaches' All-American team every year he swam for the Wolverines. In 1948, he swam for the Michigan Wolverines team that won the NCAA swimming championship.
in Dearborn, Michigan
where he led his team to three straight Class A state championships (1952, 1953, and 1954) and one national championship.
In April 1954, he was named as Michigan's swimming coach when Matt Mann retired after 31 years. Stager was hired by athletic director Fritz Crisler
, and remained Michigan's swimming coach for 25 years until 1979. Stager had a career record of 169-39-1 as Michigan's head coach. Stager's Michigan swimming teams finished first or second in the Big Ten Conference
23 times. He coached Michigan to four NCAA national championships in 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1961. After the 1957 team won the NCAA team championship at Chapel Hill, North Carolina
, an AP wirephoto of a fully clothed Stager being thrown into the pool by his Michigan team appeared in newspapers across the country. Stager's 1959 Wolverines' team was considered one of the strongest in NCAA history, as they scored an NCAA meet record 137½ points (41 points higher than the prior meet record set by Yale in 1954) -- more than the combined total of the second, third and fourth place teams.
As coach at Michigan in the 1950s, Stager had conflict with Scottish swimmers Jack Wardrop
and Bert Wardrop. After being suspeneded by Stager for insubordination, the two quit the team despite having eligibility remaining. Speaking later of the conflict, Stager said: "A foreign boy just doesn't have the team loyalty that an American boy has. The foreign boys can't conceive, for example, that they should swim out of their stroke (a free-styler competing in the breast-stroke, for instance) so that the team will get points. We train our boys to play for the team and not themselves from the time they step on the playground. We do our best to instill team spirit in them from the start. In most cases, the foreign students think it's just a lot of junk. Most of them don't give a damn. They're opportunists. This doesn't go for all foreign athletes, but most of them are interested only in personal achievement. . . . I don't think there's another country in the world like the United States, where boys will sacrifice almost anything to see their team win."
In 1981, Stager came out of retirement to coach the Wolverines from 1981 to 1982, replacing Bill Farley as coach.
to the first gold medal win by a U-M woman. Stager also coached the U.S. team to victory in the first World Championships at Belgrade
in 1973.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
for 25 years (1955–1979, 1981–1982). His Michigan swimming teams won four NCAA national championships in 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1961. He also led Fordson High School
Fordson High School
Fordson High School is a secondary school located in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was completed in 1928 on a parcel of land which was then the village of Fordson, named for Henry Ford and his son Edsel Ford.-History:...
to Michigan state championships three consecutive years from 1952 to 1954. In total, he swam for or coached on five NCAA champsionship teams, three Michigan high school championship teams, and the 1960 U.S. Olympic team—all before his 35th birthday. In 1982, he was inducted into both the International Swimming Hall of Fame
International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of swimming in the United States and around...
and the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
The University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...
. He was also the coach of the U.S. swim team at the 1967 Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
and the 1973 World Championship (1st place).
Competitive swimmer
Stager began as a leading high school swimmer at Newark AcademyNewark Academy
Newark Academy is a coeducational private day school located in Livingston, New Jersey. With both lower and upper schools, this institution comprises grades six through twelve...
in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. Competing on the U.S. Army team from the Philippines, Stager won the 400-meter free-style event at the "Pacific Army Olympics" held in Manila, Philippines in December 1945. He enrolled at the University of Michigan after being discharged from the Army and set a freshman American record in the 200 yard free style in February 1947 with a time of 2:12.3. He went on to become a three-time NCAA finalist, and named to the coaches' All-American team every year he swam for the Wolverines. In 1948, he swam for the Michigan Wolverines team that won the NCAA swimming championship.
Swimming coach at Dearborn Fordson and University of Michigan
After graduating from Michigan, Stager became the swimming coach at Fordson High SchoolFordson High School
Fordson High School is a secondary school located in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was completed in 1928 on a parcel of land which was then the village of Fordson, named for Henry Ford and his son Edsel Ford.-History:...
in Dearborn, Michigan
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
where he led his team to three straight Class A state championships (1952, 1953, and 1954) and one national championship.
In April 1954, he was named as Michigan's swimming coach when Matt Mann retired after 31 years. Stager was hired by athletic director Fritz Crisler
Fritz Crisler
Herbert Orin "Fritz" Crisler was an American football coach who is best known as "the father of two-platoon football," an innovation in which separate units of players were used for offense and defense. Crisler developed two-platoon football while serving as head coach at the University of...
, and remained Michigan's swimming coach for 25 years until 1979. Stager had a career record of 169-39-1 as Michigan's head coach. Stager's Michigan swimming teams finished first or second in the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
23 times. He coached Michigan to four NCAA national championships in 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1961. After the 1957 team won the NCAA team championship at Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, an AP wirephoto of a fully clothed Stager being thrown into the pool by his Michigan team appeared in newspapers across the country. Stager's 1959 Wolverines' team was considered one of the strongest in NCAA history, as they scored an NCAA meet record 137½ points (41 points higher than the prior meet record set by Yale in 1954) -- more than the combined total of the second, third and fourth place teams.
As coach at Michigan in the 1950s, Stager had conflict with Scottish swimmers Jack Wardrop
Jack Wardrop
John Caldwell "Jack" Wardrop is a former Scottish swimmer. Wardrop won a silver and bronze medal at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver....
and Bert Wardrop. After being suspeneded by Stager for insubordination, the two quit the team despite having eligibility remaining. Speaking later of the conflict, Stager said: "A foreign boy just doesn't have the team loyalty that an American boy has. The foreign boys can't conceive, for example, that they should swim out of their stroke (a free-styler competing in the breast-stroke, for instance) so that the team will get points. We train our boys to play for the team and not themselves from the time they step on the playground. We do our best to instill team spirit in them from the start. In most cases, the foreign students think it's just a lot of junk. Most of them don't give a damn. They're opportunists. This doesn't go for all foreign athletes, but most of them are interested only in personal achievement. . . . I don't think there's another country in the world like the United States, where boys will sacrifice almost anything to see their team win."
In 1981, Stager came out of retirement to coach the Wolverines from 1981 to 1982, replacing Bill Farley as coach.
Swimming coach for U.S. swimming team
After leading Michigan to three straight NCAA championships, Stager was named the head coach of the U.S. Olympic swimming team in 1960, the youngest coach ever to lead the U.S. Olympic team. In 1956, the Australian team took nine gold medals, and the Americans only two. At the 1960 games, the Australiant team was favored again, but the US team led by Stager took nine gold medals and fifteen total medals, topping the Australians' five gold and 13 total medals. In the 1960 games, Stager also coached Joan SpillaneJoan Spillane
Joan Spillane is an American swimmer and olympic champion. She competed at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, where she received a gold medal in the 4×100m freestyle relay.Spillane studied at the University of Michigan.-References:*...
to the first gold medal win by a U-M woman. Stager also coached the U.S. team to victory in the first World Championships at Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
in 1973.
Career coaching record
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Coach | Overall | Pct | Conference | Pct | Big Ten | National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955-56 | Gus Stager | 1-4-1 | .250 | 1-4 | .200 | 2nd (56) | 11th (10.5) |
| 1956-57 | Gus Stager | 7-0 | 1.000 | 4-0 | 1.000 | 2nd (79) | 1st (69) |
| 1957-58 | Gus Stager | 8-0 | 1.000 | 6-0 | 1.000 | 1st (112) | 1st (72) |
| 1958-59 | Gus Stager | 10-0 | 1.000 | 7-0 | 1.000 | 1st (148) | 1st (137.5) |
| 1959-60 | Gus Stager | 7-1 | .875 | 5-1 | .833 | 1st (155) | 2nd (73) |
| 1960-61 | Gus Stager | 5-2 | .714 | 5-1 | .833 | 2nd (201.8) | 1st (85) |
| 1961-62 | Gus Stager | 5-2 | .714 | 4-2 | .667 | 3rd (146) | 4th (32) |
| 1962-63 | Gus Stager | 5-2 | .714 | 4-2 | .667 | 2nd (147.5) | 3rd (52) |
| 1963-64 | Gus Stager | 7-3 | .700 | 4-3 | .571 | 2nd (171.8) | 4th (30) |
| 1964-65 | Gus Stager | 7-0 | 1.000 | 6-0 | 1.000 | 2nd (409) | 3rd (221) |
| 1965-66 | Gus Stager | 8-1 | .889 | 8-1 | .889 | 2nd (406.5) | 3rd (253) |
| 1966-67 | Gus Stager | 4-3 | .571 | 4-3 | .571 | 2nd (396) | 4th (184) |
| 1967-68 | Gus Stager | 5-2 | .714 | 4-2 | .667 | 2nd (339) | 6th (92) |
| 1968-69 | Gus Stager | 7-3 | .700 | 6-2 | .750 | 2nd (414) | 4th (165) |
| 1969-70 | Gus Stager | 10-1 | .909 | 6-1 | .857 | 2nd (363) | 6th (118) |
| 1970-71 | Gus Stager | 10-1 | .909 | 6-1 | .857 | 2nd (325) | 10th (69) |
| 1971-72 | Gus Stager | 8-2 | .800 | 6-1 | .857 | 2nd (317) | 10th (47) |
| 1972-73 | Gus Stager | 8-1 | .889 | 5-1 | .833 | 2nd (386) | 7th (88) |
| 1973-74 | Gus Stager | 8-3 | .727 | 6-2 | .750 | 3rd (472) | 15th (26) |
| 1974-75 | Gus Stager | 8-2 | .800 | 5-2 | .714 | 3rd (278) | 11th (44) |
| 1975-76 | Gus Stager | 11-2 | .846 | 6-1 | .857 | 3rd (450) | 13th (42) |
| 1976-77 | Gus Stager | 7-1 | .875 | 4-1 | .800 | 4th (406.5) | 13th (30) |
| 1977-78 | Gus Stager | 5-2 | .714 | 2-2 | .500 | 4th (372) | 16th (26) |
| 1978-79 | Gus Stager | 13-1 | .929 | 7-0 | 1.000 | 2nd (505) | 10th (61) |
| 1981-82 | Gus Stager | 5-1 | .833 | 3-1 | .750 | 3rd (471) | 15th (41) |
See also
- University of Michigan Athletic Hall of HonorUniversity of Michigan Athletic Hall of HonorThe University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...
- Swimming at the 1960 Summer OlympicsSwimming at the 1960 Summer OlympicsAt the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, 15 swimming events were contested, eight for men and seven for women. There was a total of 380 participants from 45 countries competing. For the first time, the 4×100 metres medley relay was contested...