Robert J. H. Kiphuth: Difference between revisions
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'''Robert John Herman Kiphuth''' (November 17, 1890 – January 7, 1967) was an American [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]] coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head men's swimming coach at [[Yale University]] for 41 years, from 1918 to 1959. During his tenure with [[Yale Bulldogs swimming and diving|Bulldogs swimming and diving]], he amassed a record of 520 wins to only 12 losses, along with four [[NCAA Division I men's swimming and diving championships|NCAA titles]] (1942, 1944, 1951, 1953),<ref>[http://www.yalebulldogs.com/sports/m-swim/2010-11/releases/20110204j2ds98 ''Yale marks 50th anniversary of historic streak''] by Chelsea Janes, Yale Sports Publicity. Published February 4, 2011; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref> earning him a reputation for being the winningest coach in history. |
'''Robert John Herman Kiphuth''' (November 17, 1890 – January 7, 1967) was an American [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]] coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head men's swimming coach at [[Yale University]] for 41 years, from 1918 to 1959. During his tenure with [[Yale Bulldogs swimming and diving|Bulldogs swimming and diving]], he amassed a record of 520 wins to only 12 losses, along with four [[NCAA Division I men's swimming and diving championships|NCAA titles]] (1942, 1944, 1951, 1953),<ref>[http://www.yalebulldogs.com/sports/m-swim/2010-11/releases/20110204j2ds98 ''Yale marks 50th anniversary of historic streak''] by Chelsea Janes, Yale Sports Publicity. Published February 4, 2011; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref> earning him a reputation for being the winningest coach in history. |
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Kiphuth was born in Towanda, New York on November 17, 1890, an area not known for producing great swimmers, but it did produce a few great swim coaches. Though he was an exercise, gymnastics, and fitness instructor, he left the gym to begin his duties at the old Carnegie Pool when his Michigan predecessor Matt Mann left Yale in 1917. His success as a swim coach was immediate and ongoing, and his innovative approach was quickly adopted by many in the swimming community. Breaking from the accepted wisdom of his era, he encouraged his swimmers to run cross-country track to gain endurance, and to engage in dry land exercises to gain strength.<ref name="ishof"/> |
Kiphuth was born in Towanda, New York on November 17, 1890, an area not known for producing great swimmers, but it did produce a few great swim coaches. Though he was an exercise, gymnastics, and fitness instructor, he left the gym to begin his duties at the old Carnegie Pool when his Michigan predecessor Matt Mann left Yale in 1917. His success as a swim coach was immediate and ongoing, and his innovative approach was quickly adopted by many in the swimming community. Breaking from the accepted wisdom of his era, he encouraged his swimmers to run cross-country track to gain endurance, and to engage in dry land exercises to gain strength. Championing an enlightened approach to training his swimmers, he led his Yale teams to four NCAA Championships in 1942, 1944, 1951, and 1953. His books and articles greatly benefitted the swimming community and his accomplishments convinced his competitors of the soundness of his approach. In addition to his NCAA championships, regionally he won 38 Eastern Intercollegiate titles, produced 14 AAU National Team Championships, and was a U.S. Olympic swim coach five times. His 1948 U.S. Olympic swim team won first place in every event, an accomplishment that has never been matched.<ref name="ishof"/> |
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Kiphuth also served as the head coach for multiple U.S. Olympic swimming teams (both men and women, depending on the year). From 1947 to 1949, he doubled as Yale's athletic director.<ref>[http://www.yalebulldogs.com/information/facilities/payne_whitney_gym/pools Robert J.H. Kiphuth Exhibition Pool and Practice Pool in Payne Whitney Gym], from yalebulldogs.com; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref> He was largely responsible for the modern sport of swimming, |
As noted, Kiphuth also served as the head coach for multiple U.S. Olympic swimming teams (both men and women, depending on the year). From 1947 to 1949, he doubled as Yale's athletic director.<ref>[http://www.yalebulldogs.com/information/facilities/payne_whitney_gym/pools Robert J.H. Kiphuth Exhibition Pool and Practice Pool in Payne Whitney Gym], from yalebulldogs.com; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref> He was largely responsible for the modern training approach to the sport of swimming, with his focus on dryland workouts,<ref name="ishof">[http://www.ishof.org/Honorees/65/65rkiphuth.html Kiphuth's entry] from the website of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (www.ishof.org); retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref> and interval training. |
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From 1951 to 1961, Kiphuth was the publisher of ''[[Swimming World Magazine]]''. |
From 1951 to 1961, Kiphuth was the publisher of ''[[Swimming World Magazine]]'', which heralded a more informed approach to assessing swimming competition on the team and individual level. |
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Kiphuth was awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] by President [[Lyndon Johnson]] on December 6, 1963. He had been chosen to receive the award by President [[John F. Kennedy]] (President Kennedy also received the Medal of Freedom, posthumously, at the same ceremony).<ref>[http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/World/30720.asp ''Kiphuth's ride to the Medal of Freedom'' (part 1 of 2)] by Chuck Warner, ''[[Swimming World Magazine]]''. Published June 4, 2012.; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/World/30801.asp ''Kiphuth's ride to the Medal of Freedom'' (part 2 of 2)] by Chuck Warner, ''[[Swimming World Magazine]]''. Published June 12, 2012.; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref> |
Kiphuth was awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] by President [[Lyndon Johnson]] on December 6, 1963. He had been chosen to receive the award by President [[John F. Kennedy]] (President Kennedy also received the Medal of Freedom, posthumously, at the same ceremony).<ref>[http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/World/30720.asp ''Kiphuth's ride to the Medal of Freedom'' (part 1 of 2)] by Chuck Warner, ''[[Swimming World Magazine]]''. Published June 4, 2012.; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/World/30801.asp ''Kiphuth's ride to the Medal of Freedom'' (part 2 of 2)] by Chuck Warner, ''[[Swimming World Magazine]]''. Published June 12, 2012.; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref> |
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Since 1968, the high-point award at the USA's [[United States Swimming National Championships|Swimming National Championships]] has been named in his honor (the "Kiphuth Award").<ref>[http://www.usaswimming.org/_Rainbow/Documents/e0819b16-be31-4550-8995-81698183a390/Awards.pdf Awards and Honors] (p.133) published by [[USA Swimming]] in 2009; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref> |
Since 1968, the high-point award at the USA's [[United States Swimming National Championships|Swimming National Championships]] has been named in his honor (the "Kiphuth Award").<ref>[http://www.usaswimming.org/_Rainbow/Documents/e0819b16-be31-4550-8995-81698183a390/Awards.pdf Awards and Honors] (p.133) published by [[USA Swimming]] in 2009; retrieved June 12, 2012.</ref> |
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In 1965 he was inducted into the [[International Swimming Hall of Fame]].<ref name="ishof" /> |
In 1965 he was inducted as an Honor member into the [[International Swimming Hall of Fame]].<ref name="ishof" /> |
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Kiphurth died on January 7, 1967, in [[New Haven, Connecticut]], after suffering a heart attack.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Kiphuth, games Yale swimming coach, dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97563182/honolulu-star-bulletin/ |newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |location=[[Honolulu|Honolulu, Hawaii]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=January 9, 1967 |page=C2 |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{Open access}} }}</ref> |
Kiphurth died on January 7, 1967, in [[New Haven, Connecticut]], after suffering a heart attack.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Kiphuth, games Yale swimming coach, dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97563182/honolulu-star-bulletin/ |newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |location=[[Honolulu|Honolulu, Hawaii]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=January 9, 1967 |page=C2 |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{Open access}} }}</ref> |
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Revision as of 15:46, 7 May 2024
 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 17, 1890 Tonawanda, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 7, 1967 (aged 76) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1918–1959 | Yale |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1947–1949 | Yale |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 520–12 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 4 NCAA (1942, 1944, 1951, 1953) | |
| Awards | |
| '65 International Swimming Hall of Fame | |
Robert John Herman Kiphuth (November 17, 1890 – January 7, 1967) was an American swimming coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head men's swimming coach at Yale University for 41 years, from 1918 to 1959. During his tenure with Bulldogs swimming and diving, he amassed a record of 520 wins to only 12 losses, along with four NCAA titles (1942, 1944, 1951, 1953),[1] earning him a reputation for being the winningest coach in history.
Kiphuth was born in Towanda, New York on November 17, 1890, an area not known for producing great swimmers, but it did produce a few great swim coaches. Though he was an exercise, gymnastics, and fitness instructor, he left the gym to begin his duties at the old Carnegie Pool when his Michigan predecessor Matt Mann left Yale in 1917. His success as a swim coach was immediate and ongoing, and his innovative approach was quickly adopted by many in the swimming community. Breaking from the accepted wisdom of his era, he encouraged his swimmers to run cross-country track to gain endurance, and to engage in dry land exercises to gain strength. Championing an enlightened approach to training his swimmers, he led his Yale teams to four NCAA Championships in 1942, 1944, 1951, and 1953. His books and articles greatly benefitted the swimming community and his accomplishments convinced his competitors of the soundness of his approach. In addition to his NCAA championships, regionally he won 38 Eastern Intercollegiate titles, produced 14 AAU National Team Championships, and was a U.S. Olympic swim coach five times. His 1948 U.S. Olympic swim team won first place in every event, an accomplishment that has never been matched.[2]
As noted, Kiphuth also served as the head coach for multiple U.S. Olympic swimming teams (both men and women, depending on the year). From 1947 to 1949, he doubled as Yale's athletic director.[3] He was largely responsible for the modern training approach to the sport of swimming, with his focus on dryland workouts,[2] and interval training.
From 1951 to 1961, Kiphuth was the publisher of Swimming World Magazine, which heralded a more informed approach to assessing swimming competition on the team and individual level.
Kiphuth was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Lyndon Johnson on December 6, 1963. He had been chosen to receive the award by President John F. Kennedy (President Kennedy also received the Medal of Freedom, posthumously, at the same ceremony).[4][5]
Since 1968, the high-point award at the USA's Swimming National Championships has been named in his honor (the "Kiphuth Award").[6]
In 1965 he was inducted as an Honor member into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.[2]
Kiphurth died on January 7, 1967, in New Haven, Connecticut, after suffering a heart attack.[7]
See also
References
- ^ Yale marks 50th anniversary of historic streak by Chelsea Janes, Yale Sports Publicity. Published February 4, 2011; retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ a b c Kiphuth's entry from the website of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (www.ishof.org); retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Robert J.H. Kiphuth Exhibition Pool and Practice Pool in Payne Whitney Gym, from yalebulldogs.com; retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Kiphuth's ride to the Medal of Freedom (part 1 of 2) by Chuck Warner, Swimming World Magazine. Published June 4, 2012.; retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Kiphuth's ride to the Medal of Freedom (part 2 of 2) by Chuck Warner, Swimming World Magazine. Published June 12, 2012.; retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Awards and Honors (p.133) published by USA Swimming in 2009; retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ "Kiphuth, games Yale swimming coach, dies". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Honolulu, Hawaii. Associated Press. January 9, 1967. p. C2. Retrieved March 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com
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