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Gary Hall

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Gary Hall Sr has been involved in swimming for nearly his entire life. He rose to prominence quickly as a young competitive swimmer in Southern California, breaking 22 National Records by the age of ten. By 16, he qualified for his first of three Olympic Games of 1968, 1972 and 1976, where he earned three individual medals and was part of the gold medal winning medley relay team in 1972. He was twice voted as the Men’s World Swimmer of the Year in 1969 and 1970. From 1969-1973 he attended Indiana University, swimming for legendary coach, James ‘Doc’ Counsilman. While there, he won seven individual NCAA titles and helped Indiana University win four consecuti Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Gary Hall Sr has been involved in swimming for nearly his entire life. He rose to prominence quickly as a young competitive swimmer in Southern California, breaking 22 National Records by the age of ten. By 16, he qualified for his first of three Olympic Games of 1968, 1972 and 1976, where he earned three individual medals and was part of the gold medal winning medley relay team in 1972. He was twice voted as the Men’s World Swimmer of the Year in 1969 and 1970. From 1969-1973 he attended Indiana University, swimming for legendary coach, James ‘Doc’ Counsilman. While there, he won seven individual NCAA titles and helped Indiana University win four consecutive team championships. Among his many honors, his greatest occurred during the 1976 Olympic Games, where he was selected by the Team Captains of all sports to carry the United States Flag, leading Team USA into the Opening Ceremony. He was the first American swimmer in history to receive that honor. Michael Phelps received the same honor in 2016.

After completing his swimming career, Gary finished medical school at University of Cincinnati. During medical school, he supported his family by coaching swimming at the well-known Cincinnati Marlins. After completing his Residency in Ophthalmology at Indiana University Medical Center, he practiced in Phoenix, Arizona until 2006. During his 24 years as an Ophthalmologist, Gary built a large practice, pioneered surgical procedures and performed clinical research. On the side, he managed the very successful Phoenix Swim Club and competed in triathlons and Masters swimming.

From 1996 to 2004, Gary proudly watched his son, Gary Jr, surpass his swimming accomplishments by winning ten Olympic medals in three Olympic Games. To this day, Gary Sr and Gary Jr are the only father and son in sports history to each compete in three Olympic Games.

In 2003, Gary Jr co-founded The Race Club in Islamorada, Florida, as a training program for aspiring Olympic swimmers. Gary Sr joined his son in this endeavor in 2006, moving to Florida from Arizona.

After he retired from competitive swimming in 2008, Gary Jr began to focus on finding the cure for Type I Diabetes, with which he was diagnosed in 1999. He has become one of the world’s leading advocates for diabetic patients.

Gary Sr and his wife, Mary, transitioned The Race Club from a training program into a teaching program, which it has been ever since. Gary Sr recently authored a textbook on swimming technique, entitled Fundamentals of Fast Swimming-How to Improve Your Swim Technique.

Today, The Race Club coaches improve swimmers’ technique in Islamorada, Florida and Coronado, California. Gary Sr’s second son, Richard, joined The Race Club in 2010, becoming the video production manager. Richard’s Race Club educational videos are widely acclaimed by swimmers and coaches worldwide, with over 15 million You Tube views. Thousands of swimmers, coaches and triathletes all over the world subscribe to The Race Club instructional videos at www.theraceclub.com. ...more