Somber news. Auburn's swimming and diving coach, Richard Quick, has died.Here is the (unedited) story I just filed for the print editions:
Swimming and diving coach Richard Quick, the most decorated coach ever to preside over an Auburn program, died Wednesday night after a six-month battle with cancer.
He was 66.
Quick won a total 13 NCAA championships during his career, which included two separate stints with the Tigers. He earned his first Auburn trophy in March when the men's team rallied from a final-day deficit to beat favored Texas.
``Richard's passing leaves a tremendous void -- not only in the swimming community and the Auburn family, but to those individuals who he touched the most," the team's co-head coach, Brett Hawke, said Wednesday night. ``It would be in Richard's greatest honor to not dwell on his loss, but to celebrate his life and the characteristics he embodied, which were his perseverance, compassion and his humanity."
Quick was a newcomer on the college scene in 1979 when Auburn hired him to cultivate the Tigers' fledgling programs. During his three-year stay, the Tigers watched the men's and women's teams qualify for the NCAAs and finish in the top 10.
He then won five consecutive women's titles at Texas before moving to Stanford in 1989, where he won another seven championships.
Quick returned to Auburn in 2007 after his successor and protégé, David Marsh, left to work with an Olympic development program.
Sensing that his memory was fading at an unusual pace, Quick requested a brain scan in November. Doctors discovered an inoperable, cancerous tumor that soon began affecting him in profound ways.
He was moved to a skilled nursing center in Austin, Texas, late last week. According to the family's website, Quick died at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday with his family at his side.
``While he lost a valiant battle against a cruel disease, Richard was an inspiration to countless people who were touched by his steadfast faith and amazing courage in the face of tremendous adversity," Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said.
Funeral arrangements in Austin are pending.
Very sad
ReplyDeleteJust another reminder of how quickly life can change. It sounds trite, but kiss your sweetie, hold your kids a little longer and don't sweat the stuff that really doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to read back through the comments on Coach Quick's Caring Bridge blog and see the phenomenal impact he had on so many people's lives.
ReplyDeleteNice thoughts,cincy. RIP Coach Quick.
ReplyDeleteGod bless him and his family.
ReplyDeleteI am glad they a championship for him.
ReplyDeleteVery sad.
ReplyDeleteMon & cincy - I hope not!
ReplyDeleteThis is very said. This man has contributed to Auburn greatly and will surely be missed.
ReplyDeleteTHT,
ReplyDeleteYou hope what not?
Thoughts and prayers for his family.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean not sad because now he is whole again and with the Lord which is awesome? That is great, but sad for his family that he leaves behind.
ReplyDeleteVery sad news indeed...Prayers for Coach Quick's family.
ReplyDeleteIf I could pick one disease to cure it would be cancer.
yes, cincy.
ReplyDeletePrayers sent for his family and all the Auburn family who grieves our loss.
I was expecting to read the news of this about every day since the championship. I can speak from personal experience on this horrible disease and the devastation that it can cause. Cincytiger is right on all three things. Especially, don't sweat the small stuff, and I would add, especially don't sweat the small stuff with those you love.
ReplyDeleteThe words are not my own, but the feeling is:
I know that my Redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth;
and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God;
whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold,
and not as a stranger.
Thanks, FSJ. HABOTN is quite fortunate to have you in the ROF.
ReplyDeletesad loss for the world and AU. RIP CRQ you will be missed but never forgotten.
ReplyDeleteY'all are making me cry. But they are tears of joy and hope.
ReplyDeleteJayGT- thanks for the "expanded coverage". Us Hotties appreciate you keeping us informed.
ReplyDeleteThat's my role.
ReplyDeleteAnd you fulfill it very well - thank you
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, it is now officially (in my neighborhood) Walter Reeves Day. T minus 86 and counting.
ReplyDeleteAnd let it also be known that at 0055 hours EDT, the thread was pronounced officially Willed by THT.
ReplyDeleteAeronaut or chip chip- can either of y'all do CPR?
It's a pretty somber thread.
ReplyDeleteNecessary, but somber.
Rest in peace, Coach Quick. Your legacy lives on. He was a mentor, a teacher, a coach. Images of him are here.
ReplyDeleteI would not mind dying after I achieve 1/10th of what he did. He is the kind of hero that I wish we recognized and emulated more.
May his family find peace and solace.
Well said, Aeronaut.
ReplyDeleteLuv - I know you'll be here any minute now. I've got to hit the road for the long drive to work today. The first tune this morning was queued up in memory of Coach Quick. Then back to the random shuffle:
ReplyDeleteI Can't Wait to See Jesus by Pat Terry
Jackie Blue by Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Hurricane by Bob Dylan
Changes by David Bowie
He Reigns by The Newsboys
Mobile by Avril Lavigne
Whiter Shade of Pale by Procul Harum
My Ride's Here by Warren Zevon
100 Years by Five for Fighting
Good Morning, Hotties.
ReplyDeleteDamned cancer... My thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Quick's family and friends, but he is definitely in a much better place and isn't suffering anymore.
Drive safely, Tar Heel!
ReplyDeleteSad, sad news.
ReplyDeleteRIP, Coach Quick.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how appropriate this is on this thread, but what does everyone think about this?
ReplyDeleteNews Out of Tuscaloser
It's about what I expected, Luv. This wasn't that big of a deal as far as gaining a competitive advantage and that's the NCAA's biggest criteria for handing out penalties. Losing the wins will suck but not near as bad as future scholarship losses. The most important thing is the extending of the probation.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how losing a few wins in any big deal either. And, a fine around $40,000 is a drop in the bucket for them.
ReplyDeleteLuv...
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone expected the textbook case to amount to much.
No, I really didn't either.
ReplyDeleteMy heart and prayers go out to Coach Quick's family.
ReplyDeleteTimes like this remind me that we are an Auburn Family rather than an Auburn Nation.
I went ahead and created a new thread for Alabama's NCAA fate.
ReplyDeleteI figured Coach Quick's thread didn't need to be muddied by that chatter.
RIP
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers go out to the Quick family. He left the program to the capable hands of Coach Hawk, an awesome man that I have had the privilege of having class with(he is finishing up a degree in Psychology). Coach Quick really meant a lot to the team and staff. I tend to judge a person by what their underlings say about them, and it is clear he was a great man. God bless his family.
ReplyDelete