KENNETH V. REALL

1991 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

            Ken began his swimming career at the Wanskuck Boys Club and later became the New England Boys’ Club 11-12 Individual Medley Champion.  He attended LaSalle Academy and won Providence Journal Bulletin second team all-state honors in the 100 yard butterfly.  Ken attended Southern Connecticut State University where he set a freshman record in the 200 yard individual medley and was the butterflyer on the record breaking New England Intercollegiate medley relay, which qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championship swim meet. 

            Ken’s team dedication was appreciated when he was nominated swim captain of the Wanskuck Boys Club team, LaSalle Academy, and Southern Connecticut’s undefeated freshman team. In his graduating year at Southern he was honored as Southern Connecticut’s Scholar Athlete.

            Ken’s coaching career started in 1966 at Kendbrin Swimming and Tennis Club, where he won four Narragansett Swim League Championship titles.  In 1969 Ken coached and taught at Torrington High School in Connecticut.  In 1971 Ken received the City of Torrington Citizenship Award for Outstanding Contributions to Youth.

            Ken returned to LaSalle Academy in the fall of 1971.  In 1972, he was offered a teacher/coaching position with Roy Watmough at East Providence High School.  Ken became head coach in 1978 and coached the Townies to top five finishes in the state for the next six years.  In 1984, Ken accepted the head coaching position of the Little Rhode Aquatic Club, coaching the age-group swimmers to four R.I. State Championships from 1985-1988.  From 1977 to 1988 Rhode Island enjoyed the success of nationally ranked swimmers like Peter Solomon and Sarah Perroni who were coached at Little Rhody by Ken Reall.

            In 1986 Ken became Aquatic Director at the Community College of Rhode Island.  While at CCRI, Ken participated in the nationally ranked WSI Swimming Training programs.  In 1988, he returned to East Providence H.S. and coached the team to a 25 and 3 record in two years.  In 1990, Ken’s team was undefeated and won the State Division ‘B’ High School Championships.

            Ken has been instrumental in the organization of many swimming meets in Rhode Island and New England, including the Rhode Island Coaches and Officials Age Group Championships, Rhode Island Interscholastic League Championships, the New England Age Group Championships and the annual Brown Interscholastic Swim Championship.  He has served as President of the Rhode Island Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association and the New England Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association.

            Ken is presently in his 25th year of coaching.  His Achievements as a coach and teacher are reflected in many distinguished awards, including the John Stoyko Team Sportsmanship Award (three occasions) and the Joseph Tracey Distinguished Service to Swimming Award in 1983.