The Journal

Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Mariano Ulibarri An empty pool could become a familiar site if the swim program folds.

The Webster University swimming program has lost two of its leaders. Head Coach Kevin Mabie and Assistant Coach Myrna Greer have resigned from their positions with the team.

Mabie coached at Webster University for the last two seasons and Tom Hart, Webster's athletic director, says Mabie stepped down for numerous reasons.

"(Mabie) has a pretty young family and he was trying to balance teaching at a new school, spending enough time at home and trying to do the job here at a high level," Hart said. "I think he felt those pressures and pulls and he realized that he wasn't going to be able to do all of them to the level that he wanted to. When you're provided with the choice between a full-time job and your family or a part-time job, the part-time job is going to lose out. I also think some of the frustrations he felt like lack of time and squad size made it challenging for him and he had to redirect his priorities a little bit."

Mabie was unavailable for comment.

Freshman standout Adam Rafferty set seven school records in his first season at Webster. Rafferty says Mabie was the reason he came to Webster and that he is sad to see the coach go.

"He's a fantastic coach and a fantastic person," Rafferty said. "If it weren't for coach Mabie, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be in college at all. I was going to join the Navy until coach Mabie called me and asked if I'd like to come to Webster and swim. He was one of the best coaches I've ever had and I've had quite a few."

Rafferty said he enjoyed his first season at Webster, but admits it will be tough adjusting to a new coaching staff.

Greer is currently the aquatics director at the University Center and was the founder of the swimming program at Webster. She chose to call it quits for completely different reasons.

"I'm just tired," Greer said. "I've been doing this for 12 years and I'm not getting any younger. Plus, economically, I was looking at the time I spent coaching and realized that I could probably get another part-time job and be better off."

Although she has resigned from her coaching duties, Greer said she'll miss the bond she formed with the swimmers.

"After spending two hours a day with a group of students, you can't get any closer to them," Greer said. "The relationship that you gain over the long haul is very special. Even though I'll still have that with the student staff, it's not quite the same."

Following the resignation of coaches Mabie and Greer, the athletic department has begun taking an in-depth look at the future of the swim team. Hart said he has met with Assistant Coach Joe Expozito and numerous other groups in order to learn more about the intricacies of the sport at Webster.

"Currently, we are in the process of evaluating the viability of the swimming program," Hart said.

The Journal will continue to follow this story as it develops.

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