For more than two decades, Keith MacDonald, Varsity Boys’ Swim Coach has run the team like a master juggler, keeping multiple drills and groups moving all at once while holding every swimmer to the highest standards, David Knudson, English Teacher and former Boys’ Varsity Swim Assistant Coach, said.

After 21 years of coaching at South, Coach MacDonald is retiring, concluding a long, successful career, Knudson said. During his time as the Varsity Boys’ Swim Coach, MacDonald has coached 21 state champion swimmers, and has guided the team to seven first place state trophies, five state records, and a national record in the 200-yard freestyle relay, Knudson said. Beyond the medals and records, he has built a culture of excellence, teaching swimmers discipline, resilience, and teamwork, Knudson said.

“MacDonald’s ability to know what everyone’s doing and then holding them accountable to the highest standards while they’re doing it is his special secret,” Knudson said.

MacDonald’s coaching style challenges swimmers physically, by pushing their athletic ability, and mentally, by setting high expectations, senior Lucas Fernandez-Geddes, Boys’ Varsity swimmer, said. Through constant encouragement and setting high standards, swimmers are pushed beyond their comfort zone and motivated to reach their full potential, Fernandez-Geddes added. This approach emphasizes not only performance, but also accountability and resilience, encouraging swimmers to take ownership of their progress, Fernandez-Geddez said.

“MacDonald has expectations for you that no one else has,” Fernandez-Ged- des said. “He believes in his athletes with all his heart, motivates you to do better, and pushes you further than you thought possible.”

MacDonald’s top priority throughout the years has been to build strong connections with his swimmers, which he achieves not only through time spent together in the pool but also through shared experiences like golf trips, team dinners, and celebrations, he said. MacDonald took pride in seeing the growth of his swimmers as he developed as a coach, he said.

“The biggest achievement for me is seeing them improve and grow—not just as swimmers, but as people,” MacDonald said.

MacDonald’s influence extends beyond the team, shaping a culture that lasts long after swimmers graduate, Tom Mietus, Assistant Principal of Athletics, said. Mietus met MacDonald for the first time 21 years ago; since then Mietus has not seen himself as Mac’s boss, but rather a friend that offers unconditional support, Mietus said. Mietus has seen MacDonald’s lasting impacts on the program through not only the excellent swim meets but also the community he has built within the team. This connection creates a strong foundation, allowing the program’s values and standards to continue even as new swimmers come in and others move on, Mietus said.

“Anytime you have athletes that believe in you, they will do everything for you,” said Mietus, “That’s the foundation of his legacy. He’s built a culture of excellence that will last long after his retirement.”