Jonty Skinner
Encyclopedia
John Alexander Skinner (born in Cape Town
, South Africa
) and matriculated from Selborne College
in East London, is a former South African swimmer turned national American swim coach.
He decided to move to the United States
and attend the University of Alabama
. Whilst there, he won gold in the 100 yard freestyle at the 1975 Division I NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships
and was voted Alabama's most valuable swimmer in 1975, 1976 and 1977. He was also voted as Alabama's Athlete of the Year.
In 1976, he weighed 185 pounds and stood 6'5" and had a good chance of taking the gold medal in the 100 metres freestyle at the 1976 Summer Olympics
in Montreal
, Canada
, however at the time South Africa was still banned from the Olympics hence making Skinner ineligible to compete.
However, after the completion of the Olympics, at the 1976 United States Summer National Swimming Championships in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, and after just qualifying for the final, Skinner broke Jim Montgomery's 20-day old world record in the 100 metre freestyle by 0.55 seconds beating home the Olympic champion and Joe Bottom
who won silver in Montreal. His record stood until 3 April 1981 when Rowdy Gaines
swam the distance in 49.36 seconds in Texas
.
In addition to his world record, he set three American records in the 100 yards freestyle.
In 1985, he was recognized by the swimming world when he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
as an Honor Swimmer.
and became the head coach of the San Jose Aquatics Club where under his guidance the club won five junior national championship team titles and in 1986 took the national championship team title at Phillips 66 Long Course Senior Nationals. He served as head coach until 1988.
He returned to the University of Alabama in 1988 as assistant head coach and took over the reins as Head Swimming and Diving coach of the men's and women's teams in 1990.
From 1994 to 2000 Skinner served as USA Swimming
's Resident Team Coach, which involved coaching some of the nation's top swimmers at the elite national and international level.
From 2000 to 2008 Skinner served as USA Swimming's Director of National Team Technical Support, which involves coordinating all of the testing, tracking and assessment of the National Team athletes.
He currently operates Athletic Intelligence Consulting and is an UpMyGame coach.
, Colorado
with his wife Carol and two children Cleone and Cydney.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
) and matriculated from Selborne College
Selborne College
Selborne College is a public, male-only school in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.-History:Selborne College was founded in 1872 by Pastor Heinrich Muller, a German settler, and at that stage was known as the Panmure Public School...
in East London, is a former South African swimmer turned national American swim coach.
Swimming career
At the 1973 South African National Swimming Championships he won the 100 metre freestyle event and backed that up by winning the event again at the 1974 National Championships. He was awarded the title of South Africa Athlete of the Year and was also awarded South African National Colours in Swimming and Life Saving.He decided to move to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and attend the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
. Whilst there, he won gold in the 100 yard freestyle at the 1975 Division I NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships
NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships
The NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships are college championship events in the USA. The event is held annually, and the NCAA hosts Swimming & Diving Championships in each of its three Divisions ....
and was voted Alabama's most valuable swimmer in 1975, 1976 and 1977. He was also voted as Alabama's Athlete of the Year.
In 1976, he weighed 185 pounds and stood 6'5" and had a good chance of taking the gold medal in the 100 metres freestyle at the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, however at the time South Africa was still banned from the Olympics hence making Skinner ineligible to compete.
However, after the completion of the Olympics, at the 1976 United States Summer National Swimming Championships in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and after just qualifying for the final, Skinner broke Jim Montgomery's 20-day old world record in the 100 metre freestyle by 0.55 seconds beating home the Olympic champion and Joe Bottom
Joe Bottom
Joseph Stuart Bottom is an American, Hall of Fame swimmer and one time world record holder in 50 meter freestyle, 100 meter butterfly and 4×100 meter freestyle relay....
who won silver in Montreal. His record stood until 3 April 1981 when Rowdy Gaines
Rowdy Gaines
Ambrose Gaines IV is a former American swimmer, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member, Olympic three-time gold medalist, and member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame...
swam the distance in 49.36 seconds in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
In addition to his world record, he set three American records in the 100 yards freestyle.
In 1985, he was recognized by the swimming world when he was inducted into 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...
as an Honor Swimmer.
Coaching career
Skinner began his coaching career in 1978 when appointed assistant coach of University of Alabama's swim team. After three years he moved to CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and became the head coach of the San Jose Aquatics Club where under his guidance the club won five junior national championship team titles and in 1986 took the national championship team title at Phillips 66 Long Course Senior Nationals. He served as head coach until 1988.
He returned to the University of Alabama in 1988 as assistant head coach and took over the reins as Head Swimming and Diving coach of the men's and women's teams in 1990.
From 1994 to 2000 Skinner served as USA Swimming
USA Swimming
USA Swimming is the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States. It is charged with selecting the United States Olympic Swimming team and any other teams which officially represent the United States, as well as the overall organization and operation of the sport within the...
's Resident Team Coach, which involved coaching some of the nation's top swimmers at the elite national and international level.
From 2000 to 2008 Skinner served as USA Swimming's Director of National Team Technical Support, which involves coordinating all of the testing, tracking and assessment of the National Team athletes.
He currently operates Athletic Intelligence Consulting and is an UpMyGame coach.
Personal life
Skinner currently resides in Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
with his wife Carol and two children Cleone and Cydney.