Efforts to increase the number of African American Swimmers start with 'Detroit 100'

Detroit Masters Swim Club, this year affectionately known as "Detroit 100" is a newly formed adult swim team, striding to increase minority involvement. Detroit and the surrounding areas have a long legacy of participating in the sport. In the late 1990's and early 2000's Detroit Public Schools hosted a program teaching elementary students swim lessons through volunteerism from the high school swim teams. Programs like that kept communities involved. Detroit 100 is focusing on bringing that type of support and contribution into the activity of swimming.

Their goal is to demonstrate the diversity of Detroit swimming by recruiting 100 swimmers in the area to participate in the 2024 Michigan Masters State Swimming Championship held in Detroit for the first time ever at Wayne State University April 19-21. This effort embodies the history and culture of the Detroit area.

"We welcome all swimmers regardless of swim level, ethnicity, or sexual origin", says Detroit 100 head coach and coordinator Greg Robinson. Coach Greg began swimming at Crunk recreation, then Northwestern High School and swam collegiate. He has fifty years of coaching experience and took time to speak more in depth about the team's plans and reasoning.

KJ: When did you come up with the idea of 100 swimmers on one team?

CG: The Michigan Masters State Swimming Championships has never been held in Detroit, they never had a venue in Detroit ever and normally when we go out to compete in one of these events its only two to three minorities participating out of maybe 300 swimmers. Last year I participated and was the only minority swimmer from Detroit out of 300. As a result of that, they announced this year 2024 they are going to bring the meet to Detroit...as I started asking around to different people to let's go there, it grew and grew and grew to; now I'm trying to get 100 people.

KJ: Why is this representation important?

CG: The history of black swimmers in Detroit has a long legacy. Tens of thousands of African Americans swimmers have participated in Detroit's competitive swimming programs since the early 20th century. Detroit can boost, that for over sixty years, when it came to providing scholarships for the HBCU competitive programs, we led the way. However, today other than Howard University, all of the HBCU programs have ended. When I swam at Tennessee State University during the 1970's we swam in a league that had 10 -12 HBCU programs. The "Detroit 100" initiative goal is to bring attention to this problem.

KJ: How will this impact the future?

CG: Our hope is to demonstrate Detroit rich swimming legacy by winning the 2024 Michigan Masters State Swimming Championships. If we win the event, which no minority swim program has ever done, this will give a platform to show case Detroit's masters swimming talents; but more importantly, it [will] give us the ammunition to approach and solicit the fund and necessary resources from donors and those who understand, to help us bring this mission into fruition. Likewise, the recreation aquatics programs numbers in Detroit have been drastically diminished.

KJ: What was swimming like growing up in Detroit?

CG: Before retirement during my time (32 years) with the Detroit recreation department, we started with over 10 outdoor pools; and another 25 indoor pools, but today we operate only one outdoor pool, and only 5 indoor pools; and nobody has enough lifeguards. Something has to be done. This historic showing by the Detroit 100' will be a gateway to restoring minority aquatic programing here and across the nation.

KJ: How many swimmers are interested and how do you sign up?

CG: As of now we have 150 interested former swimmers. Of course, the crucial being when they actual register, but the recruitment list has 150, we will be the largest and biggest diverse/minority team ever assembled.

For more information on how to join visit Detroit Masters Swim Club - Home (weebly.com). Below are some frequently asked questions.

DMSC The most FAQ's:

When: April 19th - 21st, 2024, Venue: Wayne State Univ., Matthaei Center, Detroit, MI

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Who are the Coaches?

Co-Coaches Greg Robinson & Gary Peterson. Asst. coaches Vince Gallant, Ruby McCoy

What is Masters Swimming?

Masters swimming is a special class of competitive swimming for swimmers 18 years and older. It promotes health and fitness through swimming competitively. It's open to all swimmers from beginners to world champs. No experience is necessary.

Where is Practice?

Lap Swim schedules at participating Detroit Rec. Centers will be announced. Adams Butzel There is no mandatory team practice's, swimmers can train anywhere they like; and organized practices with coaches can be arranged.

What are the Qualification requirements?

There are no qualification times; all swimmers 18 & over are welcome and eligible to compete; however, swimmers must be registered with USMS as well as declare the newly formed DETROIT MASTERS SWIM CLUB as your "work out group".

How do we join?

Join on-line (United States Masters Swimming) go to https://www.usms.org/join ($70)

Also complete the DMSC Application and email it to Coach Greg. [email protected] , ($10)