Bob Steele (swim coach)
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1939 Chicago, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Southern Illinois University BA, Phys. Ed. 1961 MA, Education 1962 |
| Playing career | |
| 1957-1961 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ill. |
| 1959-1962 | Southern Illinois U. Carbondale Sharks (Student Coach) |
| Position(s) | backstroke, student coach |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1962-1966 | Richwoods High School Peoria |
| 1966-1970 | Deerfield High School |
| 1970-1973 | Northwestern University Evanston, Ill. |
| 1974-1984 | Southern Illinois University Head Swim Coach |
| 1985-1987 | Justus Aquatics, Director Orlando International Aquatic Center |
| 1987-1995 | U.S. Swimming Director, Athlete/Coach Development |
| 1998-2004 | California State Bakersfield, Ca. |
| 2005-2016 | USA Swimming Master Coach/Consultant |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 6 x National Independent Champions (Southern Illinois University) 5 x NCAA Division II Titles (California State Bakersfield) | |
| Awards | |
| 4 x Division II Coach of the Year (California State Bakersfield) ASCA Hall of Fame SIU Distinguished Alumnus International Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame CSCAA Top 100 Coaches of Century | |
Bob Steele was a competitive swimmer for Southern Illinois University and a collegiate swim coach for California State Bakersfield from 1997 through 2004 where he led the team to 5 NCAA Division II National Championships, and was named Division II Coach of the year four times. From 1984 through 1995, he was a director of athlete development for USA Swimming. Receiving wide recognition for his service to collegiate coaching and the American swimming community, he was selected as one of College Swimming Coaches Association of America's (CSCAA) Top 100 Coaches of the Century.
Steele was born around 1939 and graduated South Chicago's Chicago Fenger High School in 1957. Athletic from his early youth, his family lived on East 103rd Street, a few miles East of the Southern tip of Lake Michigan, and he played in a Junior Football League at the age of 14 sponsored by the Chicago Park District.