HUNTINGTON BEACH : Coaching Career Is Honored

Diving coach Glenn McCormick, whose students have included Olympic contenders and national champions, has been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

The Huntington Beach resident, 69, has been a diving coach for more than 40 years, and “his induction is long overdue,” said Ron O’Brien, coach of the diving team at the International Swimming Hall of Fame aquatic complex in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

“He certainly has the credentials,” said O’Brien, who formerly coached swimmers in Orange County and nominated McCormick for the hall of fame. “He deserves that honor.”

The hall of fame pays tribute to swimmers, divers, water polo players and synchronized swimmers, as well as coaches and supporters of aquatics.

More than 500 people have been inducted into the hall since it opened in 1965, spokeswoman Holly Heil said. McCormick was among 20 honorees for this year.

McCormick and his wife, Debby, a national champion diver, operate McCormick Divers at the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach.

One of McCormick’s students, Dawn Burton, 19, of Long Beach, said she is honored to have a coach who is so highly regarded.

“There are not too many coaches who can say they’re in the hall of fame,” said Burton, who won a college scholarship for her diving skills. “I’m pretty confident I’m getting coached by one of the greatest.”

Stephanie Williams of Huntington Beach, whose daughter, Michelle, 13, is coached by McCormick, describes him as “so inspiring. . . . The kids all idolize him.”

McCormick started coaching in 1953 and continued teaching the sport through the years when he was also a commercial airline pilot.

Now retired from flying, he coaches 35 students of ages 7 through 22. His students compete in local meets, with some working to qualify for national competitions later this summer.

McCormick says he has no plans to retire from coaching.

The personal reward, he said, is “watching the kids improve and helping them improve.”

“It’s a lot of satisfaction when somebody doesn’t have a great deal of ability but works hard at it,” he said. “I’ve remained in it because I enjoy the sport--and the kids.”