Happiest poolside, longtime swim coach Dale Schrank remembered for his passion for the sport and kindness

Dale Schrank was a swimming lifer.

He began coaching during his senior year of high school and over the next 50 years always had his foot in the water in some regard. He coached both high school and club, boys and girls. He worked with some of the state’s top competitors and taught beginners.

His reputation as a coach and advocate for the sport stretched throughout the state.

“Everyone has a story about Dale,” said Rob McCabe, who coached with Schrank in the Southwest Aquatic Team club program. “He could start a conversation with anybody.”

Schrank, 68, died last month.

The life of the Greenfield native will be celebrated with two events this weekend. The Southwest Aquatic Team, the club Schrank founded in 1982, is hosting the Dale Schrank Memorial Meet at Greenfield High School on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, a celebration of his life will be held at Fox River Christian Church in Muskego at 3 p.m. followed by a service at 5 

Many of Schrank’s colleagues and former swimmers, however, already have taken to social media and the internet to express their condolences and explain his impact.

“Dale was happiest poolside, working with the young men and women to develop them as student-athletes, swimmers, and young people of character,” read, in part, a statement from the Greenfield School District that announced Schank's passing.

A two-time state champion

Schrank coached at Whitnall, Waukesha West and Marquette high schools before returning to Greenfield, his alma mater.

He coached the Whitnall girls to WIAA Division 2 state titles in 1999 and 2000 and runner-up finishes in 1998 and 2001.

Two seasons ago his Greenfield/Pius XI boys won every event at the Woodland Conference meet. Last year the team was the Division 1 runner-up at state. One of his swimmers, Emilio Perez, set records in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly and was later named the Journal Sentinel’s swimmer of the year.

Schrank, recognizing the potential of Perez’s class, which also included standouts Leo Gandaria and Jack Lustig, had been looking forward to last year’s state meet for a couple of years.

“You’re always nervous when you go into a meet like this because you never know what is going to happen,” Schrank told the Journal Sentinel after last year's state meet. “We swam incredibly well. … It was a great way for us to finish the season.”

Schrank last coached Nov. 2, but five of his athletes competed for Greenfield/Pius XI in the Division 1 state meet Nov. 13. Senior Gabrielle LePine medaled, finishing third in the 100 breaststroke.

The next day Schrank, surrounded by his family and loved ones, passed away. He is survived by his wife, Melody, two daughters and four grandchildren. His brother, Mark, will coach the team during the boys season, which started last month, with Rachel Lustig and Perez serving as assistants.

“We appreciate all that you did for us. Your kindness never went unnoticed,” members of the Greenfield/Pius XI girls swim team wrote on the team’s Instagram page. “You are an amazing coach and always will be. Thank you for everything, we truly mean it.”