Stingrays Swim Coach Ken Keer Will Be Missed

In today’s arena of competitive swimming, it is very rare that you come across a coach who cares so much for his team as Ken Keer, head coach of the Severna Park Racquetball & Fitness Club Stingrays Swim Team.

This is Keer's seventh and sadly final season coaching the Stingrays. He has more than 15 years of experience coaching children at age group and high school levels.  He is an American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Level Three certified coach, who has dedicated his time outside of his full time career with the U.S. Census Bureau to coaching. 

There are 130 children on the Stingrays team ages 5-18, and this year, 29 swimmers on the team qualified for the state championships. This is a testament to Ken and the other coaches at the team. They not only emphasize technique but also work to develop the whole swimmer. Swimming is a sport that takes a great commitment on the part of the athlete and the coach. Each child on the team swims at least four days a week - if not more.

They are met at each practice by a member of the coaching team and led by a man that lives to coach. This is evident by the way he knows every child on the team and what their interests are outside of swimming. He encourages them to try new things and not be scared to fail, they know that whatever happens, he and the members of the team will be there for them.

The excitement of swim meets are fueled by the screams of encouragement from a team that becomes family and it is what helps make our children who they are today. 

His resignation has left a hole in the team and community. He will be sadly missed by the children who have been left wondering what will happen to the team.