Eastern Michigan Athletics
Swimming Assistant Eric Namesnik Passes Away Following Car Accident
1/11/2006 10:59:31 AM | M. Swim & Dive, Swimming & Diving
Information regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Eastern Michigan University volunteer assistant swimming coach and two-time Olympic silver medalist Eric Namesnik passed away this morning (Wednesday, Jan. 11) following a traffic accident Saturday in Pittsfield Township. Namesnik has spent the past two years as an assistant coach with the Eagles. Namesnik also served seven years as an assistant coach (1997-2004) with the University of Michigan’s men’s program after a stand-out swimming career for the Wolverines from 1989-93.
A member of the 1992 and 1996 United States Olympic teams, Namesnik won the silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics. He lowered the American record in the 400 IM four times during his career and received the FINA No. 1 world ranking in 1991 and 1993. His 1993 U.S. Swimming Championships American record-setting performance helped earn him the 1993 U.S. Swimming Performance of the Year award and made him a finalist for the U.S. Olympic Committee SportsMan of the Year. He was an eight-time USA Swimming national champion.
Namesnik was a member of four Big Ten Conference championship teams (1989-90-91-93), and the Wolverines finished in the top six nationally during each of his four competitive seasons. He won the 400-yard individual medley at the 1991 Big Ten Championships and redshirted during the 1992 season to train for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
A Butler, Pa., native, Namesnik graduated from Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Fla., prior to enrolling at Michigan. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan in kinesiology with a teaching certificate. Namesnik received his master’s degree at Eastern Michigan (1997) in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration.
In his inaugural campaign with EMU, Namesnik was part of the coaching staff that helped lead the Eagles’ men’s squad to its sixth straight Mid-American Conference Championship.
Namesnik is survived by his wife, Kirsten, a former U-M swimmer, and two children: Austin and Madison. He was 35 years old.
Information regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming. A trust fund has been set up for the children of Eric and Kirsten:
SNIK’S KIDS (official name: Eric Namesnik Memorial Fund — either is fine on the check)
United Bank and Trust
2723 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Individuals may leave a message for the family or receive information as it becomes available at www.carepages.com. Individuals wishing to access the family’s CarePage (snik) will need to create a login.
(University of Michigan Athletic Department contributed to portions of this release)
