Posted: Feb 21, 2014
BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons Head Swimming Coach Mindy Williams was named New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association's Women's Swim Coach of the Year announced Sunday evening at the NEISDA Championships. Williams has been at the helm of the Sharks program since 2008 and led Simmons to their tenth consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship in December and a third place finish at the New England Championships this past weekend, the team's highest finish in program history.
Williams sat down with us this week to discuss swimming, her career and what has made Simmons Swimming so successful under her tenure.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a coach?
A: I worked as an assistant coach immediately after college, initially just to buy some time while I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. During that stint, I found that I had very intense opinions (often in opposition of what the head coach – my boss! - was doing). That made me realize that maybe this is something that I'm cut out for.
Q: What three words would your athletes say best describe you?
A: I think that they would describe me as passionate, energetic, and maybe a bit of a spaz.
Q: What was your favorite moment from this 2013-2014 season?
A: It is more than just a moment, but probably the two hour bus ride home from URI after New Englands. The energy and excitement after a great meet was absolutely through the roof.
Q: What advice did you give the team before NEISDA this year?
A: Have confidence in your training and believe in yourself.
Q: What has been one of your greatest accomplishments as an athlete?
A: Definitely making Nationals while I was in college. When I made my first national cut in the 1650, I remember seeing my coach jumping up and down on the side of the pool while I was racing. I was so confused because I was winning the race by a lot and wondered why on earth he was so hyper. Then it dawned on me that I must be doing something fancy, so I just put my head down and hammered for the rest of the race. Turns out I was doing something fancy! That was such a special moment and so unexpected.
Q: Do you have any superstitions before a meet?
A: Not really, but I talk to the team about keeping routines consistent going into a big meet, and not doing anything different or new. I follow that same advice.
Q: What other sport would you have competed in if you were not a swimmer?
A: I probably would have done a lot more skiing if I didn't spend my winter months at the pool. And I've always had tennis on the back burner. Luckily those are two sports you don't really grow out of!
Q: What is your favorite Disney movie?
A: C'mon, this is a no-brainer: The Little Mermaid!
Q: What do you enjoy most about coaching?
A: Seeing athletes accomplish things they didn't think they could. The expression on an athlete's face when they are surprised by their result is priceless! When their eyes go from the clock to the coach… boy, that feels good!
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: I can pack away a bag of Mint Milanos like nobody's business. But steak and nachos are also at the top of the list.
Q: Do you have any special talents or a surprising thing that someone might not know about you?
A: A lot of people are surprised to learn that I was an art major in college. I draw cartoons.
Q: What is your favorite candy?
A: Anything with chocolate or sugar. Candy is a major vice for me… my favorite is probably peanut butter cups.
Q: What is your proudest moment?
A: From this season, probably seeing my entire team lined up on the side of the pool and cheering for the 400 Free Relay at the NEISDA Finals. Our entry disqualified in the morning, which was heartbreaking, but to then see every one of my athletes cheering on the finalists was a wonderful moment of sportsmanship and resilience.
Q: Who is your greatest mentor in life? and Why?
A: My Dad. He was a hockey player in college (actually still is!), and he gave me advise during my senior year that changed my whole perspective of collegiate athletics. He basically told me "you don't want to look back and realize there was something more you could have done." I applied that mentality to my athletic career, and I have continued to apply it throughout my professional career. My dad has created a successful business, which is much like a team, and he reminds me frequently of the life skills my athletes are learning and honing through their experience as Simmons athletes. He really understands the value of sport, and he has helped me realize that my job is really important (not just fun!).
Q: What does the word Team mean to you? And has that meaning changed from when you were a collegiate athlete to now as a collegiate coach?
A: The word team has become synonymous with family. The team comes first, and the health of the team is always the number one priority. As a collegiate athlete, I'm sure I felt the same way, but I wasn't in a position to have to mediate issues (I was the kid of the family!). As a collegiate coach, I'm much more aware of how a little negativity or selfishness can impact the whole unit.
Q: What has made Simmons such a successful aquatics program?
A: We have a loyal staff, we have committed athletes, we have support from our administration, and the values our program is based upon are; having fun, working hard and maintaining balance.