Striking Fear into the Hearts of Men

The Legend of Coach Linn

As a freshman, I didn't know what to expect from this Peter. He is only barely above 5 feet tall, he doesn't look you in the eyes when talking (usually with his eyes closed or over your head actually), and at the time had the most powerful facial feature possible. His mustache. As a lowly freshman, when he walked out of his office and for whatever reason seemed to gravitate toward the Distance lanes. In particular my lane. Just his mere presence over my lane was all the motivation I needed. I could do nothing but give every set he watched my upmost effort. I had to impress him at every chance. The level of intimidation he put into me was incredible. How a man of his stature can put fear into the men of Eastern still boggles my mind. He still intimidates me to talk to and I only remember one time him ever telling me good job for anything swimming related. Yet, his presence over my lane my freshman year pushed me beyond pain, beyond doubt, beyond physical limitation, to be the best swimmer in the pool I could. That to me, is the legend that is Peter Linn.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 12:00am

Comments

Jwashin91 year ago

Coach Linn

Oh Peter Linn, I never would have thought I would ever be a college swimmer. Growing up on the mean streets of Detroit swimming isn't the talk of the town. Despite the gangs, violence, and heavy drug dealing/using going on around him, the young Jaron avoided these road blocks to life by bettering himself through lap swimming. Never really knowing anything about the sport, Jaron one faithful day after hearing about try outs during the morning annoucements decided to give it a try. All though Jarons swimming from a far looked like a child drowning, he out shined the other participants at the try outs. As time passed by, Jaron joined a recreational swim team, whos program was very intensive. Under the same coach as former EMU swimmer Kelton Graham, Jaron was inspired to make something more of his growing potential. After having a promising high school career in such a short period of time Jaron pursued continuing his swimming on an even higher playing field...College! After a few emails Peter Linn replied to the eager young man from the harsh ghettos. He set up a trial swim for Jaron upon his arrival to the university to see if the young man could handle it. Jaron excited but nervous as hell, stepped into the first practice that faithful day hoping for the best; little did he know it wouldn't go as planned. Jaron with a lot of heart still didn't meet the standard of the championship team who was swimming around him. Afterwards the man he would one day call coach uttered those plain but harsh words..."I don't think it's going to work out". Crushed but not yet defeated, Jaron decided to train for the upcoming year, even if it meant by himself. Jaron spent that year receiving work outs from his coach back home and swimming in the club pool who's waters were so warm to cater the frail skin and bones of the senior citizens that frequent that pool. Toward the end of EMU's successful season, Jaron befriended soon to be teammate Owen Grey, who had invited Jaron to join him for his post season training. It was through that training Jaron became close to Assistant coach Noah Moran, who at the time was allowing swimmers to join his exercise routines. At the end of the semester Noah recommended that Jaron attend summer training that was to be held at the school, Jaron did not turn him down. It was in that summer the young man from one of the roughest urban environments, had showed Peter Linn how much he truly wanted and loved this sport. Through a lot of pain and hard work Jaron that fall was able to call himself a EMU swimmer.