Swimming Great Namesnik Passes Away After Accident
1/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
Snik's Kids Trust Fund: A trust fund has been set up for the children of Eric and Kirsten. Contributions may be made online or by sending a check (made payable to "Snik's Kids" or "Eric Namesnik Memorial Fund") to:
Snik's Kids
c/o United Bank and Trust
2723 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Former University of Michigan men's swimming standout and two-time Olympic silver medalist Eric Namesnik passed away this morning (Wednesday, Jan. 11) following a traffic accident Saturday in Pittsfield Township. Namesnik spent seven years as an assistant coach (1997-2004) with the men's program after swimming for the Wolverines under head coach Jon Urbanchek from 1989-93. Namesnik was in his second season as a volunteer assistant men's swimming coach at Eastern Michigan and was coaching with the Wolverine Aquatics Swim Club.
Namesnik
Namesnik was a member of four Big Ten Conference championship teams (1989-90-91-93), and the Wolverines finished in the top six nationally during each of his four competitive seasons. He won the 400-yard individual medley at the 1991 Big Ten Championships and redshirted during the 1992 season to train for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
A member of the 1992 and 1996 United States Olympic teams, Namesnik won the silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics. He lowered the American record in the 400 IM four times during his career and received the FINA No. 1 world ranking in 1991 and 1993. His 1993 U.S. Swimming Championships American record-setting performance helped earn him the 1993 U.S. Swimming Performance of the Year award and made him a finalist for the U.S. Olympic Committee SportsMan of the Year. He was an eight-time USA Swimming national champion.
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A Butler, Pa., native, Namesnik graduated from Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Fla., prior to enrolling at Michigan. He earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan in kinesiology with a teaching certificate. Namesnik received his master's degree at Eastern Michigan (1997) in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration.
"Snik," as he was known to all who knew him, is survived by his wife, Kirsten, a former U-M swimmer, and two children: Austin, 4, and Madison, 2. He was 35 years old.
Individuals may leave a message for the family or receive information as it becomes available at www.carepages.com. Individuals wishing to access the family's CarePage (snik) will need to create a login.
Update (1/12/06): Services for Eric Namesnik will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2250 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Family visitation 10-11 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m. (times EST).
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 13, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. EST, at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 South Fourth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone 734-663-3375).
"A Celebration of Eric's Life" will be held Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m. EST, at Canham Natatorium.
Q U O T E S
Jon Urbanchek, Retired U-M Men's Swimming Coach (1982-2004)
"Eric put me on the map. He was a hard worker and grinder, a coach's dream. Coaches love kids who like to work hard, and he was just one of them. I never had a son, and he was the son I never had. I had him for 18 years; his mom only had him for 16, so I had him more than his parents had him at Michigan. I got to know him extremely well. What he did for Michigan is unmeasurable. It's not just how fast he swam, but the good person he was, the character. He had his life in perspective and knew that his family was at the center of his life. Eric was an unbelievable human being, and what he accomplished in his 35 years is more than most accomplish in a lifetime. I was fortunate and lucky to work with Eric, and I want to celebrate his life."
Jim Richardson, U-M Women's Swimming Coach (1985-present)
"From the time he came here as a freshman, you could see immediately that he had an exceptional drive, work ethic, sense of thoroughness, responsibility to do things the right way, in and out of the water. He wasn't flashy, kind of a quiet guy, with a deep, deep resolve. He had the heart of a champion, with all the things you think a great athlete should be, but more important than that was his family and the people around him. He was just the best, just the best. If there is a prototype for the Michigan man, I can't imagine anyone being more than that than Eric Namesnik. He will be missed for a long time. I think the best thing we can do is to do what we know 'Snik' would have wanted us to do and that's to work hard at what we do, have a passion about what we do, be thorough, be responsible and care for each other more than we do those other things. Eric was one of the great swimmers in the history of the NCAA and left a great legacy at Michigan. Eric will truly be missed by all who met him."
Dick Kimball, Retired U-M Diving Coach (1959-2002)
"I have known 'Snik' for a long time. When Eric was in high school he was already training and winning national championships. He was one of those guys that did everything right and worked really hard as an athlete -- most straight-laced guy you would ever know. Eric was just one of those guys who was such a hard worker, and he didn't give up because he got touched out by Tom Dolan at the World Championships or at the Olympic Games, he came back and tried to beat him and caught up quite a bit the second time around. That was just the kind of guy Eric was. He was such an organized guy that contributed so much to the Michigan swimming and diving tradition. He has been such a big part of swimming and will always be remembered as one of the greatest swimmers in Michigan history. He will be sorely missed. I feel so sorry for his family, his little kids and his wife. They are in my thoughts and prayers."
Tom Dolan, Former U-M and Olympic Swimmer
"Snik and I had a relationship that few people will ever truly understand. Swimming is a simple sport in that, to be the best in the world, you have to train harder than everyone else in the world. The only way this is possible is if you have athletes around you who can push you to the edge of your capabilities. Snik pushed me harder in training than anyone. As a freshman at Michigan, I was fortunate enough to see what it takes to be the very best in the sport. That challenge was in my face each day in the lane next to me. Snik and I butted heads in workout for three years leading up to the Olympics in Atlanta. We pushed each other to heights beyond our dreams. I know that neither of us would have come close to achieving our goals had we not been there staring each other down day after day. Snik taught me work ethic, discipline, toughness and the idea that giving up is not an option. My life has forever been impacted by my training, competition and ultimately my friendship with Snik. He set an example for all younger Michigan swimmers to follow. He showed us that being part of the Michigan family is a privilege. There was no greater honor in my swimming career than to stand next to him on the medal podium at the Atlanta Olympics, representing our Country and the University of Michigan."
Tom Malchow, Former U-M and Olympic Swimmer
"There is an old saying that 'you only get one chance to make a good first impression,' but that was all Eric Namesnik needed. The minute you met Eric you knew there was something different about him, something extraordinary! Eric was the real deal. He was a person with the heart of a champion, a mentor, a friend, a teammate, a captain, and a coach of swimming and life. We will all miss Eric more than words will ever be able to express. He accomplished more in 35 years than most people could accomplish in three lifetimes. Eric's presence may be gone from this earth in a physical sense, but his memory will last for eternity. Everyone who knew Eric is a better person for knowing him, and his legacy will live in us, and be passed down as a guide to future generations on how to live, how to be successful, and how to treat people. Eric, we will miss you, but we will never forget what you stood for, who you were, and what we learned from you. Thank you, and I love you now and forever."
Joe Parker, U-M Associate Athletic Director; Former U-M Swimmer and Assistant Coach
"Eric had Michigan on his short list, and every university with aspirations to compete for an NCAA title was offering him a scholarship. Jon always looked for a balance of character and talent when evaluating prospective student-athletes and Eric had an abundance of both. Jon promised him if he committed to U-M that he would be one of the world's best and an Olympian. Eric's dedication, work ethic, and character have created an extraordinary legacy and we are all better for knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eric's family."
Bill Martin, U-M Director of Athletics
"We are truly saddened by the loss of one of the great swimmers in Michigan history. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and children during this difficult time. Eric was a great student, athlete, coach and Olympian during his days at Michigan. He left a great legacy for others to follow, and he will be missed by all who knew him."
Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Bruce Madej (734) 763-4423
