JOSEPH WATMOUGH

1981 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Joe Watmough began his career in aquatics when he became a member of the staff at Olneyville Boys’ Club in 1925 as an assistant swim coach.  In 1930 he became the swim director and thus began an illustrious career as a coach and Water Safety Instructor.  The champions that he and his brother, Roy, developed were numerous:  Clara Lamore, Doris Brennan, John Higgins, Matt Soltysiak, just to name a few.  In 1943 Joe left Olneyville Boys’ Club to act as part time swim coach at Brown University.  In 1945 he began coaching full time and some of his outstanding stars were Carl Paulson, the Gossler brothers, and Win Wilson.  In 1972, when Joe retired from Brown University he saw the realization of a dream come true, the Smith Swim Center.  Joe believed in “water proofing” America and for years was Water Safety Chairman for the Providence Red Cross.  He taught several humdred young men and women so they might also teach swimming and thus help to reduce an alarming number of deaths by drowning.  Joe was the first recipient of the Joseph Tracey Memorial Award, given by the Interscholastic Swim Officials, for his contribution to the field of aquatics.