Eric Namesnik

Who Is Eric Namesnik?

Eric Namesnik is a famous American swimmer. He is also known as Snik. He is very good at swimming and has won many awards.

Eric Namesnik is a special person because he is very talented. He has done very well in his swimming career. We are happy to write about him on his birthday.

Early Life and Background

Eric Namesnik was born on August 7, 1970.

Career and Claim to Fame

Eric Namesnik has an official website where you can learn more about him. You can visit this website to find out about his life and swimming career.

Birthday, Age and Zodiac

Eric Namesnik was born on August 7, 1970. He is 56 years old. His zodiac sign is Leo.

People who are Leos are very strong and brave. They are also very kind and love to help others. Eric Namesnik is a Leo, so he might be like this too.

What it means to be a Leo

Being a Leo is very special. Leos are known for being confident and strong. They are also very friendly and love to make people happy.

Fun Facts and Legacy

We have learned that Eric Namesnik is a famous American swimmer. He was born on August 7, 1970, and is 56 years old. He is a Leo, which means he is strong and brave.

Eric Namesnik has a website where you can learn more about him. He is a very talented swimmer and has done very well in his career. We are happy to celebrate his birthday and tell you all about him.

Eric Namesnik - Quick Facts

Profile Overview of Eric Namesnik

Eric John Namesnik (August 7, 1970 – January 11, 2006), nicknamed "Snik," was an American competition swimmer who competed for the University of Michigan and a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the men's 400-meter Individual Medley (1992 & 1996).

This profile of Eric Namesnik covers Early Life and Family Background, Olympics 1992-96, Competition highlights, Swim coaching and Death and Legacy.

Early Life and Family Background of Eric Namesnik

Namesnik was born and raised in the town of Butler, Pennsylvania, and swam for the Butler YMCA Swim team while he was growing up. He initially attended Butler Area Senior High School, transferring after his sophomore season to Spanish River Community High School in Boca Raton, Florida.

He accepted a swimming scholarship from the University of Michigan, to compete under coach Jon Urbanchek's Michigan Wolverines swimming and diving team from 1989 to 1993.

Olympics 1992-96 of Eric Namesnik

Namesnik represented the United States at two consecutive Olympic Games. At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, he received his first Olympic medal, a silver, for his second-place performance in the men's 400-meter individual medley (4:15.57).

Four years later at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, he again finished second and received a silver medal in his signature event, the men's 400-meter individual medley (4:15.25).

Competition highlights

Eric Namesnik also won a bronze medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the 1994 world championships, and two silvers at the 1991 world meet. He set a new American record in the 400-meter individual medley on four occasions.

Swim coaching

Eric Namesnik spent seven years (1997-2004) as an assistant with the men's Michigan Wolverines swimming and diving team under coach Jon Urbanchek. He was a volunteer assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University for two years before his death and was a coach for Wolverine Aquatics Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Death and Legacy

Namesnik died on January 11, 2006, from injuries sustained in a car accident the prior week. On January 7, 2006, he was critically injured in an accident that occurred when he attempted to pass another vehicle on an ice-covered road in Pittsfield Township, Michigan. He was survived by his wife, former swimmer Kirsten Silvester from the Netherlands, and their two children, Austin and Madison. His former club team, Club Wolverine, hosts the Namesnik Memorial Grand Prix every spring in his honor.

He is memorialized with a statue outside of the Butler County YMCA, along with his childhood coach John "Pump" McLaughlin.

Source: adapted from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Namesnik), text available under CC BY-SA 4.0.