The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 53 ❱ IN MEMORIAM He also produced 35 individual NCAA champions, headlined by six individual national titles in 13 events and one relay title in a dominant performance at the 1995 NCAA Championships. Overall, his athletes accrued 315 All-America citations. Following his time as head coach, he helped then-head coach Bob Bowman in guiding Club Wolverine from 2004- 09 with a group of swimmers that in- cluded Michael Phelps, Erik Vendt and Allison Schmitt, among others. "Jon Urbanchek changed the way we think about training swimmers in many ways," Bowman said. "He made it more objective, scientific and measurable. However, Jon's greatest contribution was in developing better humans. He embodied patience, humility and love for everyone he met. He has had an im- measurable influence on my life and on countless others." Current U-M men's and women's swimming and diving coach Matt Bowe weighed in, saying: "People come into our life for a moment, a day, or a life- time. It matters not the time they spent with you but how they impacted your life in that time. Urby was a person who made an immediate and positive impact on people's lives. He had a cheeky sense of humor and was always willing to give his time to help others learn or better themselves. "Urby had one of the most decorated coaching careers in Michigan and Team USA history. He was a pioneer of our sport, and many coaches today still use the Urbanchek color system to catego- rize aerobic and anaerobic training in- tensities. "On a personal note, I will miss Jon immensely. His support for me, as the new head coach, and his passion for Michigan have been inspiring. Michigan lost a legend, but his legacy will con- tinue in our commitment to the future of Michigan swimming and diving. As Jon would say, 'Keep it moving' and for- ever, 'Go Blue!'" Urbanchek, who was born in Hun- gary in 1936, enrolled at Michigan and earned All-America honors. He helped the Wolverines win a pair of national championships in 1959 and 1961, along with a second-place finish individually in the mile in 1961. After graduating college, Urbanchek's first job was as the health teacher and aquatics coach at Garden Grove High School in California before moving over to Anaheim High School. He left to become the head coach at Long Beach State in 1978 before moving back to coach his alma mater ahead of the 1982 season. In addition to his Michigan Hall of Honor recognition, Urbanchek is in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and In- ternational Swimming Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of the International Olympic Committee's annual Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. The family encouraged gifts to the Jon C. Urbanchek Endowed Scholarship Fund supporting athletes on the men's swimming team. ❏ Tributes For Jon Urbanchek "It is hard to express how much Jon Urbanchek has meant to me since I first met him in 2012. He was my coach on the 2012 Olympic team, and he has been a coach, a mentor and a friend since then. I learned so much from him. He was a kind and dedicated coach who never forgot his swimmers. "I will never forget his dedication to our sport, his humor, his coaching style and his love for Team USA. He was a coach of coaches. I know that all of my coaches learned something from him. I am so lucky to have had him as a part of my team … he never stopped coaching and encouraging me." – Katie Ledecky, four-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic gold medalist "Jon Urbanchek was the Yoda to world swimming. Add on the sense of humor and occasionally needed warm hug. His wisdom grew and spread over the decades, and his legacy will continue to influ- ence future generations. We will miss his presence and carry on his spirit. 'Go Blue! Keep it movin'!'" – Mike Bottom, former U-M swimming and diving head coach (2008-23) "There is nobody like Jon Urbanchek. Jon was a larger-than-life coach who profoundly impacted swimming at a global level. With his magnetically positive demeanor, Jon not only guided his athletes to record-breaking performances in the pool but also inspired them to excel in life. His influence was a key factor in my decision to attend the University of Michigan, and I am deeply grateful for his leader- ship, teachings and friendship. "The lasting impact of Jon's legacy will be seen in the ongoing inspiration and influence he imparted on the swimmers he mentored, shaping the paths of future generations in the sport." — Peter Vanderkaay, former U-M All-American, five-time national title winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist "I'm beyond grateful for the time I got to spend with Jon Urbanchek. "I can still hear him saying 'Keep it moving,' [and] 'Ey, ____ MOVE IT!' … Thinking about what he taught me in and out of the pool … one of the most influential people I've had in my life … this man is a legend and truly one of one!" — Michael Phelps, winner of a record 28 Olympic swimming medals, including 23 gold "As an educator and coach, Jon lived a life of incredible impact. He had a deep understanding of the subtle mix of ingredients needed to build championship teams and to nurture the pride in preparation to maximize individual performances. For those of us who felt the influence of his love and mentorship, we are forever grateful." – Joe Parker, former U-M All-America swimmer and athletics director at Colorado State University A member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Urbanchek coached the U.S. Olympic Team in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004 and was a special assistant in 2008 and 2012. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY