The Club currently utilizes local high school pools during the reconstruction of the George F. Haines International Swim Center.[3]
The Santa Clara Swim Club (abbreviated SCSC) is an age-group and senior-level swim team based in Santa Clara, California. A member of USA Swimming and its local affiliate, Pacific Swimming[7], the club was recently recognized as a Gold Medal Club in the 2025-26 Club Excellence Rankings and part of the Pacific Swimming LSC (Local Swim Committee).[8]
Founded in 1951 by coach George Haines, the club rose to international prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, becoming one of the most successful swim programs in the world. SCSC has produced more International Swimming Hall of Fame members, 80 Olympians, and 71 Olympic medals (42 gold) than any other club.[9][10] Well-known alumni from the Santa Clara Swim Club incldue Mark Spitz, Don Schollander, and Pablo Morales
The club's historic home, the city-owned George F. Haines International Swim Center, was closed in January 2024 for major reconstruction. The new facility is planned to be the future home of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.[11]
Under Haines's 23-year tenure, the club became a dominant force in American and international swimming. SCSC won 43 national club team titles (26 women's and 9 men's).[13][14] His swimmers formed the core of the U.S. Olympic teams for two decades; he coached 53 SCSC Olympians who won 44 gold, 14 silver, and 10 bronze medals. Haines himself was selected as the U.S. Olympic head coach three times (1960, 1968, 1972) and as an assistant three times.[12]
The club's dominance was such that a 1968 Sports Illustrated article stated, "If the other 49 states and the rest of California should decide to pass up the Olympics, Haines could put together a team from his Santa Clara Swim Club that would hold off the rest of the world."[12] Haines left SCSC in 1974 to accept a coaching position at UCLA.[12]
Coaching transitions and rebuilding (1974–1995)
Following Haines's departure, the club entered a transitional period. In 1985, Jay Fitzgerald was named head coach, a position he held until 1995. Fitzgerald's goal was to rebuild the program from the beginner levels up to its elite senior team. Under his leadership, SCSC returned to national prominence, ranking in the top five at the USA Senior Nationals from 1989 to 1992 and winning the national team title in 1992.[15]
Dick Jochums era (1995–2007)
In 1995, Dick Jochums, another Hall of Fame coach, took leadership of the club and served as head coach until 2007.[16] Jochums continued the club's success, leading the men's team to three consecutive Summer Long Course National Championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998.[16] During his 12-year tenure, the club secured 18 top-five finishes at national championships and produced numerous Olympians, including 2000 Olympic medalist Tom Wilkens.[15][17]
Recent history and leadership (2007–present)
Following Jochums's retirement in 2007, John Bitter, who had been an assistant with the club since 1995, was promoted to head coach and CEO. In September 2018, Bitter was terminated by the club's board of directors. A subsequent criminal investigation revealed Bitter had misappropriated over $600,000 from the club, for which he was later sentenced.[18][19]
The board named Allison Beebe, an assistant coach since 2007, as interim head coach. She was formally promoted to the permanent head coach position in October 2018, becoming the first female head coach in the club's history.[20] In April 2021, Kevin Zacher was hired as the new head coach and CEO, succeeding Beebe.[21]
Facilities
George F. Haines International Swim Center
In 1966, the City of Santa Clara built the Santa Clara International Swim Center, which became the club's permanent home.[22] The facility was built in Santa Clara's Central Park on land previously used as prune orchards, a move that was controversial at the time.[1] In June 2001, the center was renamed the George F. Haines International Swim Center in honor of its founding coach, and a bronze statue of Haines was placed on the grounds.[14]
International Grand Prix
For over 40 years, the center hosted the Santa Clara International Grand Prix. The meet was a major stop on the international swimming circuit, attracting national teams and Olympic champions. Over its history, the meet saw 23 world records, 333 American records, and 64 foreign national records set in its waters.[15] One of the world records set at the meet was by Michael Phelps in 2003.[23]
Closure and Redevelopment
Due to its aging infrastructure, the 57-year-old George F. Haines International Swim Center was indefinitely closed by the City of Santa Clara in January 2024.[3] The closure forced SCSC, which operates as a tenant of the city-owned facility, to disperse its approximately 500 swimmers across various high school pools in the area.[4]
The closure is part of a larger plan to demolish the old facility and construct a new, state-of-the-art aquatics complex on the same site. This new center is planned to include a 50-meter competition pool, a 50-meter training pool, a diving arena, and a community recreation center.[11]
Future Home of ISHOF
The new complex is also slated to become the new home of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), which plans to relocate from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The new facility will house the ISHOF's museum, archives, and administrative offices, cementing the location's historical significance in the sport.[11]
Notable alumni
SCSC is known for its large number of alumni who have competed at the Olympic Games, winning a combined 71 medals.[9]
In addition to its competitive swim team, the Santa Clara aquatics complex is also home to the Santa Clara Diving Club and the Santa Clara Aquamaids, a synchronized swimming (now artistic swimming) club. SCSC also operates a Masters's program for adult swimmers.[15]
1 2 3 "Partners - Santa Clara Swim Club". santaclaraswimclub.org. Retrieved 2025-11-11. In January 2024, the City of Santa Clara made the tough decision to close the ISC indefintely.
1 2 3 "Santa Clara swim center closure ripples through community". San José Spotlight. February 7, 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-11. "Honestly, I'm just surprised that the pool has not collapsed," Santa Clara Swim Club President Amanda Pease told San José Spotlight.
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams established in 1A-l'l
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