No Farewell Words Were Spoken, No Time To Say Goodbye, You Were Gone Before We Knew It, And Only God Knows Why

Johnny Galvich was proud of his coaching record. "I've had 33 of my swimmers selected for the All-American Teams. I have had several National Senior Long Distance Team Championships and my women's team at Riviera won 94 consecutive dual meets before losing this past winter. My girls have always been among the top teams in the team standings in the National AAU Women's Championships."*

Johnny's Riviera Swimmer, Becky Collins set a New World and National Record in the 220y Butterfly 7/19/59.  John's swimmers won a total of Six (6) National Senior Women's Long Distance Team Championships within a nine year period. He produced a total of  34 National AAU Junior Champions and 'scores' of swimmers listed annually in the National Five Best Times. Winner of the Junior National 1500 meter Freestyle Championship.  Eddie Kin was the 1959 Jr. National Outdoor Champion in the 400m I.M. In 1959, Eddie placed 4th in the  Senior Men's Indoor Nationals in the 1500m freestyle where he had to compete against the best in College Swimming...Eddie was still in high school at the time.  Johnny's son Peter was the National Junior Long Distance Swim Champion...and...Prior National Age Group Record Holder 1650y freestyle. All were developed by John Galvich's "Learn-to Swim" programs.

Swimmer's Becky Collins, Donna Graham, William (Bill) Utley, Paul 'Buddy' Bucha, Ed (Eddie) Kin, Patsy Harrower, Nancy Galvich, Pete Galvich, Anne Reel, Nancy VanNess, Judy Haver & Sharon Marston were ONLY A FEW of John's many Olympic hopefuls coached during his years at Riviera. I have no doubt that many, many more would have been developed and succeeded had John lived a longer life.

 During his 8 years coaching at Riviera, his team managed to acquire 'over' 400 team  trophies.

Internationally, two of John's swimmers were members of the 1959 Pan American Games with Becky Collins bringing home a Gold Medal in the Butterfly. The Canadian American All Star Swim Meets were flooded with John's swimmer's representing the United States. 

 John was honored by the Mayor of Indianapolis and was awarded the     'KEY TO THE CITY' 

John's untimely death in 1960, at the young age of 43, left the swimming world a monumental loss. John was a devoted husband, father and an inspiration to all in the sport. He will be remembered for the great champions he developed, his attachment to the hundreds of 'his kids', his keen sense of humor and the high ideals of true sportsmanship which he exhibited in the face of deep disappointments and in the tremendous victories bringing fame to both the KYF in Kenosha, WI and the Riviera Club in Indianapolis, IN.*

I would personally like to thank 'ALL' of Johnny's former swimmers, divers, synchronized swimmers, students, friends, swim parents, volunteers and fellow coaches for being a part of his life and for helping to make his dream come true. 

My Sincere Thank You!!

  Nancy Galvich 2003