BRUCE CALVERT

1987 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Bruce started his swimming career under coach Andy Dimant and then later for Ellis Mayers at the Pawtucket Boys’ Club in AAU competition.  He later starred in high school swimming for Max Read at Tolman in Pawtucket.  As a competitive swimmer Bruce was one of our finest breaststrokers, and was named to the All-State Team in 1962.  He was captain of the swim team at Tolman in his senior year.

Bruce will be remembered for his outstanding accomplishments as a swimming teacher and coach for the past 17 years at Cumberland High School.  His teams have won six State Championships, two New England Championships, two Brown Interscholastic Championships, seven Division A titles and five Max Read Memorial Championships.  This impressive record was compiled from 1973 through 1987, and also during this period Bruce coached Cumberland High School to 67 consecutive dual meet victories.  His swimmers have won many individual swimming awards.  90 of his swimmers have received All-State recognition by the Providence Journal.  Two swimmers, Kurt Langborg and Steve McCafferty were All-American.  Don Hunt, Steve Walsh, and Matt Gilson were named Rhode Island outstanding swimmers.  His teams have also dominated the annual high school Relay Carnivals.  Over the years Bruce has coached the Cumberland High team to a 191-41 won-lost record.

Along with his position as a swimming coach, Bruce is the Aquatic Director for Cumberland High School and has taught many youngsters to swim and improve their performances in the water.  He also teaches annual advanced lifesaving courses and safety courses during the summer programs at the school.

Bruce served as president of the R.I. and New England Swim Coaches Association.  He is Rhode Island’s delegate to the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association, and Examiner for the R.I. State Lifeguards Certification Committee.