Tyrrell Gets Lesson in Team Building, Teaching Responsibility from Coach David Marsh

Tyrrell spent three days working with SwimMac and former Auburn Coach David Marsh on team building and teaching responsibility to athletes.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Assistant men’s swimming and diving coach Kevin Tyrrell recently spent three days in Charlotte, N.C., working with David Marsh, CEO/Director of Coaching at SwimMAC North Carolina, on team building techniques and teaching responsibility to athletes. Marsh, a 12-time NCAA Champion as head coach of the Auburn men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams and two-time Olympic coach, has won at every level of competitive swimming and is considered one of the premier coaches in the country.
 
“I was impressed to learn how competitive attitude can bring swimmers together rather than create divisions,” Tyrrell commented. “Each practice Coach Marsh runs has a competitive edge to it and swimmers are encouraged to be competitive with their teammates and the clock. This constant reinforcement of competitive skill has helped his athletes build their capacity to race in meets.”
 
Tyrrell had an opportunity to discuss several topics with Coach Marsh over the three days, including team building, teaching responsibility, dry-land training, in-pool workout design and implementation and recruiting. He also observed six team practices and joined the team as it hit the weight room.
 
“Coach Marsh develops a swimmers’ ability to be responsible for their own swimming. He does not always provide them with answers to questions, but forces swimmers to think about what their body and mind need to be successful,” stated Tyrrell. “I was also pleased to see that our weight program and water training were similar to the programs in place for Coach Marsh’s Olympic development group. I did, however, observe several new drills specifically designed for sprinters that I think will help our swimmers at Harvard reach the next level.”
 
Tyrrell’s trip to North Carolina was made possible through Harvard’s Coach Development Fund. Established in 2011, the fund is intended to aid in the funding of professional development opportunities for assistant coaches and coaching assistants. The fund’s broad objective is to support efforts to add more knowledge and preparation toward effective teaching, coaching and mentoring.