David Fry has a legacy of inspiration on the sport of swimming in Nova Scotia, and his contributions to sport can be seen at the national and international level. The extraordinary success of his 40 plus years of dedication as a coach, administrator, and educator is evidenced by his series of championship titles, the individual success of his swimmers, and numerous Coach of The Year honours.

Fry’s impact can be measured more strongly in the legacy of his commitment, enthusiasm, humility, drive, and passion he instilled in each of his swimmers. He recognized the importance of caring for both the individual and the athlete, and how to use swimming to make a person great.

Nigel Kemp, fellow Hall of Famer and former head swim coach at Dalhousie University, says, “David will be remembered for his capacity to contribute to the all-around development of each of the individuals he had the opportunity to work with.”

As a varsity athlete himself, Fry swam for the Axemen during his undergraduate studies at Acadia. He started coaching with the Wolfville Tritons Swim Club and then upon graduation in 1972, he took a position with the Dartmouth Crusaders.

He dedicated 12 years to develop this recreational swim club to one of national calibre. Growing the Crusaders became his passion and he found genuine joy in the individual improvement of each of his swimmers.

Former Dalhousie Tiger Jason Shannon says, “He saw greatness in small steps and derived equal satisfaction from pushing swimmers to beat records they believe or helping a first-year team member reach the podium with a personal best time. As a result of his approach and demeanor, he was universally respected and his mere attention to your quest motivated you to push your limits.”

When asked what some of the highlights of coaching the Crusaders were, Fry once said, “Developing the club from a small. more recreational club into a national competitive club. It was sort of a labour of love because it was something I was involved with from the beginning and then seeing swimmers get to the national level. Of course the pinnacle of that was in 1984 in putting Marie Moore [also inducted in the Hall of Fame] on the Olympic Team.”

In 1985 Fry became the assistant coach of the Dalhousie Tigers, and in 1999 he assumed the position of Head Coach, thus beginning a 16-year long series of successes. In 1999 and 2000, Fry’s teams won the men’s and women’s AUAA titles; the second time this had happened in Dalhousie history; the first time being in 1988 when Fry was acting as the Interim Head Coach of the Tigers.

The year 2002 saw the Tigers have 21 Swimmers qualify for CIS in Victoria. B.C. — the most the Tigers have ever had qualify. The men’s and women’s teams then went on to win all AUS meets. In 2004, David acted as swim coach for Bermuda, taking Dal swimmer Kiera Aitken to the Olympics in Athens. Fry’s partner of nearly-40 years, Alex Young reflects that “it was quite amazing for us at home to see him march in the opening ceremonies.”

During his Dalhousie tenure, Fry established a near perfect record of winning, with a total of 30 out of a possible 32 AUS Championship banners. He saw the Tigers to over 20 podium finishes at CIS Championships, and coached David Sharpe to the 2012 Olympic Team.

His technique transformed individual swimming into a team Sport. He said, “Always support and encourage all your teammates—that way we’ll be even better as an entire team.”

His love of people and ability to see the best in others is something that set his coaching style apart from the rest.

Fry always had the best interests of the swimmers and coaches at heart, and dedicated time improving the sport outside the water. In 1995 he partnered with Hall of Fame inductee Virginia Smith to conduct research on gender equity in swimming for the Canadian Association of the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity, which focused on the treatment of athletes and coaches.

Fry served on various swim boards, such the board of Swim Nova Scotia, and was a welcome addition to the administration side of the sport. He sat on the Board of Directors for Swimming Canada and most recently he was a board member with the Canadian Swim Coaches and Teacher’s Association, where he was Chair of their Ethics Committee, ensuring that coaches across the country were professionals coaching at the highest level.

Fry has received abundant honours for coaching in recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments. He won Dalhousie Coach of the Year a record five times. AUS Coach of the Year 11 times for both men’s and women’s swimming, CIS Coach of the Year two times (2003 for women’s and 2007 for men’s), and was twice selected at Swim Nova Scotia Coach of the Year.

Fry once said, “The one thing I demand of athletes is that we both be on the same page. If our goals don’t match up, we have to get them to align. I don’t believe in dictating what I believe the athlete needs to do; we’ve got to find that common ground. They communicate to me where they want to go with their career and I try my hardest to get them there.”

It is evident from his illustrations career that Fry was successful in achieving his goals, as well as helping his athletes achieve theirs in the pool and in life.

David Fry passed away in 2015.

Bio Courtesy of Kaitlynne Lowe