Charles Schlegel, 70, Brooklyn, NY, attended Ohio State in 1948, and swam with Olympian, Bill Smith. After the war, he served in an Air Borne Unit (28 jumps), in Germany, near relatives. Subsequently, he attended Long Island U on a swimming scholarship, and receive his teaching certificate. Schlegel taught at Unionville High School, Long Island, where he coached all sports, plus swimming. Gabelson, a top NYSU coach, hired him a year before the new Plainview HS was built. Schlegel established a top HS swim program in the US, along with his other duties as Aquatic Dir, Athletic Dir and Ass't Principal. In 1981, he was named "National Coach of the Year." His 466 wins/16 losses earned him the title of 2nd winningest coach, behind George Haines, CA. From '60-'85, his HS won all 30 league titles and 28 out of 30 Sectional Championships (equal to state title in NY). He coached (Level 5, top) a USA team for 27 yrs and assisted the German Olympic team in Munich, '72. For 3 yrs, he served as Ath Dir, Facilities Mgr and swim coach at NYSU (Westbury). He moved to FL in '89, and coaches a HS team. His astonishing lifetime win/loss record nears 1000/50. He swam on the first Maverick National Champs team in '97. He holds two US 3000 Yds Postal relay records--2000. His swimming has been limited, recently, due to two surgeries. He and his wife live in Ponce Inlet, FL. Schlegel was recently inducted into the Metropolitan Swimming Hall of Fame in East Meadow, NY.

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