Coaching a sports team can be a thankless job. But for Nancy Denenberg, Coach of Glen Ellyn’s Gators Swim Team, it’s been a wonderful experience that she was more than prepared to take on three years ago.
“I started swimming on a summer team, similar to the Gators, when I was seven years old,” explained Denenberg. “Later, I swam year-round for a club team. I even coached a large park district team during college, which was my absolute favorite summer job.” After graduating from the University of Colorado – Boulder, and then earning an MBA from Temple University in Philadelphia, Denenberg spent many years working in the Human Resources field. She moved to Glen Ellyn in 2004 with her husband Steve, where they’re raising daughter Jane (age 17, a Gator Coach!), and sons Charlie (age 16, a lifeguard and swim lesson instructor at Sunset Pool) and Drew (age 11, a Gator!).
“All three of my children became competitive swimmers,” said Denenberg. “I’ve been a Gator parent since 2007, and I served on the Gator Parent Committee for several years. I’ve also been very involved in my children’s club swim teams for the past 10 years.”
Denenberg’s love of the sport, and her experience as a swim mom and as a parent volunteer for the Gators and the club teams, inspired her to become the Gators Swim Coach. “I love to share my passion for swimming and to see the tremendous progress kids make during each season,” she explained. “But the greatest thing about being a Gator Coach is working with all of these amazing kids and their families, and seeing the swimmers make new friends and have fun while getting great exercise.”
Denenberg knows how special the Gators Swim Team Program is. “Our team spirit is so amazing, we ooze Gator spirit!” she said. “Our Gator mascot (Gus the Gator) makes an appearance at most of our swim meets, and we have a funny Gator cheer. We have a big presence in the Glen Ellyn 4th of July Parade, and there are several spirit parties and activities for our team members throughout the Gator season.”
Seeing the way the swimmers change and grow over each summer is another special aspect of Denenberg’s stint as Gators Swim Team Coach. “Our swimmers’ stroke technique and endurance levels definitely improve, and their passion for the sport and their confidence in the water increases tremendously,” she added. “I’ve learned a lot about swimming throughout my life as a swimmer, a coach, a volunteer, and a swim mom. I think all of these experiences give me a good perspective on what is important for the swimmers, for the team as a whole, and for the parent volunteers who help run all our meets. The Gators Swim Team is incredible.”
Spots fill up quickly to participate in the Gators Swim Team and Junior Gators programs! A handful of openings are still available for boys ages 11-18 and girls ages 13-18. For more information, please visit www.gegators.com.
