Swimming alum leaves lasting impression

April 18 was another day for many SMU students, but it represented a sad day for many swimmers and SMU alumni alike.

Jerry Heidenreich, former SMU swimmer and 1972 Olympic champion, died last Thursday at his home in Paris, Texas, of an overdose at the age of 52.

Wednesday, SMU swimming hosted a memorial for Heidenreich at 4 p.m. Many of his former Academy of Texas Aquatic Champions swimmers, family and friends gathered in memory of him.

According to The Dallas Morning News, his death was related to depression from a stroke he suffered last summer. He never quite seemed to recover.

Heidenreich was a competitor at the highest level during his years at SMU where he strived to eliminate hundredths of seconds from his fastest times every time he jumped in the pool.

“He gave us all he had. He became a better swimmer every time he came to the pool,” his former SMU swim coach George “Coach Mac” McMillion said. “He always treated me with 100 percent respect, and that’s all any coach can ask for.”

At the ’72 Olympic Games in Munich, Heidenreich won two golds, one silver, and one bronze. He was the first Texan to win four Olympic medals, which got him inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Dallas Marshall, sophomore SMU swimmer, wore an Olympic pendant given to her from Heidenreich, her former coach, representing his Olympic experience and supporting her during her first Olympic trials.

“He’s been coaching me since I moved here at nine years old. He’s been my mentor. He really has a way of relating to his swimmers,” Marshall said.

Marshall added that Heidenreich made workouts fun because of his outgoing personality.

“He was a great person. He was always interested in your personal life, not just your swimming,” former academy swimmer and current Mustang swimmer Bart Fassino said.

Heidenreich touched the lives of many successful swimmers-to-be. He was actively involved in summer camps that attracted thousands of admiring athletes.

At the memorial, several people commented on his gift of teaching. A former friend of his opened the memorial by saying he was a dolphin, a competitor and a teacher.

Heidenreich developed a list for the “21 Laws of Swimming” which appeared on the memorial’s program. He told swimmers to “never look back” and that “the mind leads the body.”

“Heidenreich was the type of person that always rose to the occasion,” SMU women’s swim coach Steve Collins said. “His ability to do that was very special.”

Coach McMillon ended his tribute to Heidenreich with touching words.

“He always will be and he still is a champion,” McMillon said.