A photograph of Springfield College Swimming Coach, Charles E. Silvia, standing with a group of students. He is all dressed in white and has his hand raised up to his chin. Some of the students are wearing varsity "S" sweaters and some are not wearing any suits. Those without suits are most likely members of the swim team. Edward J. Smyke (Class of 1943) is in the lower right hand corner.
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Charles “Red” Eaton Silvia (January 3, 1911—June 16, 1998), earned his BS (1934) and MPE (1940) from Springfield College and began working there in 1937. As one of the nation’s outstanding swim coaches, he coached more than two-hundred Springfield College athletes to All-American status, including SC Alumnus William A. Yorzyk. In 1956, he also served as Assistant Coach of the United States Olympic Swimming Team. Silvia also coached Dr. Davis Hart to his record-breaking English Channel swim from England to France in 1972. He has been honored as NCAA District I Coach of the Year (1970), was named to the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame (1973), and served as the chairman of the board of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Original print of photograph not in collection. Digital copy was made of original and original was returned to donor, Susan Silvia Laing. A print facsimile was created and placed into a folder within the collection.
