McMenamin Award Winners

History of the Award

Eileen McMenamin was a member of the Westmont Swim Club who lost her life in a tragic accident at young age.  Dave Krotiak, her coach at the time, created this award to memorialize her.

The Eileen McMenamin Award is given in her memory to the male or female swimmer of Westmont Swim Club who, in the opinion of the coaching staff, best symbolizes those qualities which Eileen herself possessed.  The winner of this award of this award need not be an outstanding swimmer but should show the qualities of spirit, support, tenacity and selflessness which typified Eileen.  Those qualities will manifest themselves in the following ways:

1.  Team Spirit - be supportive of team members through their successes and set backs; be positive in attitude and supportive of the leadership provided by captains and coaches.

2.  Reliability/Commitment - comes to practice consistently and uses practice time effectively to improve.  Exemplifies the notion that improvement comes through hard work and sacrifice.

3.  Friendship - demonstrates an awareness of the bonds which develop among swimmers.  Models the qualities of friendship to teammates and has earned the respect and admiration of his/her fellow swimmers.

The winner of this award will be a special person and should know that, by example, he/she is an example of the gifts which Eileen has left us.  The winner will receive an individual plaque and a copy of the selection criteria.  The winner's name will also be inscribed on a permanent plaque displayed in the main trophy case of Westmont Swim Club.