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Honoring Coach Bob DeConinck

Bob DeConinck coached his final home meet at the helm of the Loomis Chaffee varsity girls swimming and diving team on Saturday, February 10, and a large crowd gathered to celebrate his long coaching career and legacy. Among the crowd were parents, coaches, teachers, students, and over 30 alumni who had been mentored by Coach DeConinck in the past.

The girls and boys programs both also honored their seniors at the meet, contributing to the celebratory atmosphere.
 
Coach DeConinck started working at Loomis in 1998 and has left his mark on the community since the moment he arrived. His team has won the Founders League title more than 15 times and has earned five podium finishes at the New England Championships, including a championship title in 2007. 
 
Prior to the start of Saturday’s meet, boys swimming assistant coach and water polo head coach Ed Pond spoke to the crowd about Bob’s coaching career. “Bob’s tenure here at Loomis really has been a godsend,” Ed said. “He deeply loves the sport and cherishes the opportunity to share that passion with athletes drawn to the idea of putting on a Speedo and jumping in a pool throughout the long, dark, cold New England winter.” 
 
Assistant coach Liz Bucceri, who swam for Bob’s team when she was a Loomis student and has worked alongside him since 2012, also shared reflections on his profound impact. “Bob has been a coach at Loomis for 26 years, and based on the alumni that came back to celebrate him, you can see that he made a lasting impression on every single girl that has been a part of his teams,” Liz said. “Personally, I can’t thank him enough for all that he has taught me both as an athlete of his [and] as a colleague.” 
 
Although Saturday’s meet didn’t go Loomis’ way, celebrating the storied career of Coach DeConinck was a privilege for all who attended. The celebration concluded after the meet in the Burton Room, where additional speakers lauded Bob and the seniors on both teams. 
 
Although there are no more home meets this winter, there is still plenty of season left for the swim and dive teams, starting with the Founders League Swimming Championships on February 24 at Hotchkiss. 


 

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