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Social media reactions of the passing of legendary Arizona swim coaching legend Frank Busch

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The passing of former Arizona head swimming and diving coach Frank Busch from a heart attack Sunday at age 75 has been met with an outpouring of grief and praise from many on social media.

Busch, also a former USA Swimming National Team Director, suffered the massive heart attack at the Phoenix airport returning from a fishing trip to Idaho, his sister, Dorothy Rackstraw, announced on Facebook on Sunday evening.

Busch coached for 22 seasons at Arizona (from 1989 through 2011). In 2008, Arizona swept the men’s and women’s NCAA team titles. During his tenure, Arizona swimmers won 48 individual NCAA titles and 31 relay titles.

Busch was named NCAA Coach of the Year six times and Pac-10 Coach of the Year 11 times.

After leaving Arizona, Busch became USA Swimming’s National Team Director in 2011, overseeing the National Team through the 2012 and 2016 Olympic games before retiring from the position in 2017. He served as USA’s Olympic coach in 2004 and 2008, along with multiple World Championships and Pan Pacific Championships.

He was inducted into the American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008.

At the time of his death, he was an ex-oficio member of the USA Swimming National Team Steering Committee.

Busch spoke with AllSportsTucson.com’s Brittany Bowyer in April when he was inducted in the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in Phoenix. She asked Busch about his philosophy when he built Arizona into a swimming power.

“My philosophy was to try and make sure that the athletes that I recruited knew that they were coming more to a family than they were to a team,” he said. “We tried to make sure everyone felt welcomed and their parents knew their kids were going to be looked after. As we obviously raised the talent of our program, we got better and better.

“We became a very tight-knit family.”

The following are some notable social media reactions and other quotes of Busch’s passing:

FORMER ARIZONA ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DAVE HEEKE

ARIZONA SWIM & DIVE COACH BEN LOORZ ON ARIZONA’S WEBSITE

“Coach Busch is a coaching icon in swimming circles, and his impact stretches throughout our sport, from the club level to the college level to the Olympics. Our program wouldn’t be where it is today without the foundation he created. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”

ARIZONA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS DESIREE REED-FRANCOIS ON THE WEBSITE

“Coach Busch was a legend in swimming and an important part of Arizona’s history. He was a gentleman, a mentor and a powerful leader. His legacy is a reminder that our impact as leaders lives on through the people we invest in, encourage and believe in. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him.”

FORMER ARIZONA FOOTBALL COACH MIKE STOOPS (NOW ANALYST AT OLE MISS)

USA NATIONAL TEAM DIRECTOR GREG MEEHAN THROUGH A PRESS RELEASE

“Along with so many people whose lives Frank impacted, I’m heartbroken by his passing. Frank was a wonderful man who cared deeply about his family, his friends, and the sport of swimming. He was the type of person who left you feeling hopeful after every conversation. He was kind, thoughtful, and always willing to lend his support. His servant leadership set him apart, and his impact on USA Swimming is immeasurable. Frank will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with Patty, his children and grandchildren, and everyone who loved him during this incredibly difficult time.”

USA SWIMMING

LOYOLA OF CHICAGO UNIVERSITY (WHERE BUSCH IS INDUCTED IN ITS HALL OF FAME)

THREE-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST ROWDY GAINES

FORMER ARIZONA DESERT SWARM MEMBER BRANDON SANDERS (NOW ON STAFF WITH UA FOOTBALL)

LEGENDARY FORMER ARIZONA SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR TOM DUDDLESTON

SETH PEPPER, ALL-AMERICAN AND MULTI-NCAA CHAMPION AT ARIZONA

ARIZONA SWIMMING LEGEND AMANDA BEARD RESPONDING TO A SOCIAL MEDIA POST

“It’s hard to put into words what Frank meant to me. He was my coach for so much of my swimming career, but he was also so much more than that. He took me under his wing, became a father figure, and poured his heart and soul into not only the swimmer I was, but the person I was becoming. And that never stopped. As I grew into a wife and a mom, he continued to be part of my life, welcoming my husband and my kids into his home and loving them like family. Some of my favorite memories have nothing to do with medals or times. They’re holidays together, meals with our families, running stadiums until my legs gave out, dancing on the pool deck, laughing and joking together. Frank cared deeply, loved deeply, and gave so much of himself to the people in his life. I will forever be grateful that I was one of them. To say he meant a lot to me is an understatement. I loved him, and I will miss him more than I can say.”

ALBERT SUBIRATS, MULTI-NCAA CHAMPION AT ARIZONA AND OLYMPIC FINALIST IN 100 FLY

ARIZONA SWIMMING LEGEND CHRISSY PERHAM, A TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST

LACEY NYMEYER, MULTI-INDIVIDUAL AND RELAY CHAMPION AT ARIZONA, OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST RESPONDING TO SOCIAL MEDIA POST

“Coach Busch believed that the more he helped us grow as people, the better swimmers we would become, but his impact reached far beyond the pool. Yes, he wanted us to win races, but he ultimately wanted us to succeed in life. That is why, for so many of us, he was much more than a swim coach. Words cannot fully capture the influence he had on my life or the lasting legacy he leaves behind. He helped shape the person I am today, and for that, I will be forever grateful. My heart aches alongside the countless others around the world whose lives he touched so deeply.”

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