Sports
Eric Namesnik
1970–2006 · competition swimmer, coach
Two-time Olympic silver medalist swimmer who spent nearly two decades in the University of Michigan swimming program, first as an athlete and later as a coach, before his death near Ann Arbor.
- Born
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania- Died
Ypsilanti, Michigan
aged 35- Birth name
- Eric John Namesnik
- Also known as
- Snik
- Detroit years
- 1989–2006
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Namesnik came to the University of Michigan on a swimming scholarship in 1989 to train under Hall of Fame coach Jon Urbanchek, and won Olympic silver medals in the 400-meter individual medley at both the 1992 and 1996 Games while a Wolverine. After his competitive career he stayed in the program for seven more years as an assistant coach from 1997 to 2004, also coaching part-time at nearby Eastern Michigan University and for the Wolverine Aquatics Club. In January 2006 he was killed in a car accident on an icy road in Pittsfield Township, near Ann Arbor, cutting short a life spent almost entirely within the University of Michigan swimming community.
Highlights
- Olympic silver medalist in the 400m individual medley, 1992 and 1996
- Swam for the University of Michigan, 1989–1993
- University of Michigan assistant swim coach, 1997–2004
- Also coached at Eastern Michigan University and Wolverine Aquatics Club
- Died in a car accident near Ann Arbor, January 2006
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · 1989–2004
University of Michigan
Where he swam and later coached for nearly two decades.