Mitchell Ivey American swimmer and coach Date of Birth: 02.02.1949 Country: USA

1. Mitch Ivey: American Swimmer and Coach
2. Early Life and Swimming Career
3. Olympic Achievements
4. Coaching Career
5. Later Career

Mitch Ivey: American Swimmer and Coach

Mitch Ivey, born on February 2, 1949, in San Jose, California, is a former American swimmer, Olympic medalist, and backstroke specialist. After retiring from his swimming career, Ivey became a respected Olympic and university swimming coach.

Early Life and Swimming Career

Ivey began his swimming journey at the Santa Clara Swim Club, under the guidance of coach George Haines. Representing the Santa Clara Swim Club, he won three national championships in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) for amateur swimmers. Initially attending Stanford University, Ivey later transferred to California State University, Long Beach, where he trained with coach Don Gambril and competed for the university team.

In 1970, Ivey won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship in swimming and diving with a record-breaking performance in the 200-yard backstroke. He completed his university education in 1972.

Olympic Achievements

As a member of the American national team, Ivey participated in two Olympic Games: the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City and the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. He won two Olympic medals during his career. In Mexico City, he won the silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke, finishing behind the German swimmer Roland Matthes. In Munich, he claimed the bronze medal in the same event. Ivey also competed in the preliminary heats of the men's 4x100-meter relay, which won the gold medal for the American team, although he did not participate in the final.

Coaching Career

After retiring from competitive swimming, Ivey pursued a career in coaching. From 1974 to 1981, he served as the head coach of the Santa Clara Swim Club, succeeding George Haines. Three of his swimmers earned the opportunity to compete in the 1976 Summer Olympics. In 1981, Ivey became the head coach of the Concord Pleasant Hill Swim Club. From the late 1988 to 1990, he worked at the elite Etobicoke Swim Club in Toronto, Ontario. During the 1988 Summer Olympics, Ivey served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic team.

Following this, Ivey replaced Randy Reese as the head coach of the University of Florida's swim and dive team, known as the Florida Gators. From 1990 to 1993, he led the women's team, and his swimmers from the Lady Gators won three consecutive Southeastern Conference championships and achieved 3rd and 2nd place finishes at the NCAA championships. Ivey was honored as the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year for three consecutive years. However, in October 1993, the Florida University Athletic Association relieved Ivey of his coaching duties following allegations of sexual misconduct made by former female swimmers during a television show called "Outside the Lines" on ESPN. Ivey denied all the accusations.

Later Career

In the late 1990s, Ivey coached the swimming team at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida, and the Trinity Prep Aquatics club.