Gregory Gym Pool: Austin, Texas

Gregory Gym Pool was my home from 1974-1978.

When I enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin, I trained and competed in this pool in both swimming and water polo.

I played many a water polo game in this pool for the Orange and White, along with swimming and hanging out here.

When the Texas Swim Center opened in 1975, the UT swimming team left Gregory Gym Pool for its new home. This move allowed the UT Water Polo team to claim Gregory Pool as its exclusive home.

I played games in this pool against Texas A&M, SMU, Arkansas, Texas Tech, numerous club and high school teams in the 2 years I played water polo for Texas.

I also swam four intramural meets, played water basketball, and coed inner tube polo.

In the summer of 1979, I returned for graduate school and helped former UT swimming coach Hank Chapman teach swimming lessons at Gregory.

The photo is a recent one, as I could not find any photos from my era. If I come across some, I will post them at a later date.

PS: Coach Chapman taught WSI in this pool and made everyone in the class jump off the 6.5 meter tower, into 10 feet of water. I did it but was scared the entire time.

Longbranch Pool: Killeen, Texas

Darla and I both trained, coached and competed in Longbranch Pool in Killeen, Texas.

It was the warm weather facility for the Killeen Independent School District swimming, diving and water polo teams and the Killeen Area Aquatics Association.

I used this pool from 1978-1984 and Darla was with with me from 1981-1984.

Longbranch is a 50-meter 6 lane pool, with a 4-lane 25-yard section across the pool and diving well.

It was open in 1978 and is still in operation today.

Pershing Park Pool: Killeen, Texas

Pershing Park Pool was open during the summer of 1970 and I worked there during the first summer as a lifeguard.

I trained in this pool during my off hours. It is a 4 lane 25 yard pool. During the years 1982-1984 I also trained and coached at this pool when I was aquatic director for the Killeen Independent School District.

It is about 8 blocks from my boyhood home and I used to walk or ride my bike, and later drive my car there everyday.

It is still open after 40 years of operation.

Southmore Nataorium: Pasadena Texas

Southmore Natatorium in Pasadena, Texas was the pool with which the Kelly Family had the longest relationship.

She is, was and always will be number 1 on our list of pools.

We began our relationships (training and competing) in this pool in August 1990 and remained their until its demolition in February 2009.



Darla and I were the last people to swim in the pool before its demolition.



We have a great amount of stories, events, practices, competitions and love for this pool.

Now that it is gone, it only reminds in ours, and a great many other people's memories. She was a grand old pool that brought a large amount of joy to thousands of people. There is a Facebook page dedicated to her. You can access the page here.



Southmore was a home to many swimmers, divers, finswimmers, and water polo players in its 44-years of existence.



She is gone but not forgotten. She will live on in our memories.

Our Introduction

My family has been involved with the sport of swimming our entire lives.

My wife, Darla, and I are long time swimming coaches and competitive masters swimmers. Our daughter Kristine is a former NCAA Division 1 swimmer and is beginning her career as a coach.

During the 56 years of my life, I have been involved in swimming since the age 13. My wife has been involved in the sport just as long. Kristine has been swimming since the age of 5 and swimming competitive since nine years old.

The newest member of the the Kelly clan, our graddaughter Kirstin, attended her 1st swim meet 2 months after she was born and has been to over a dozen meets in the first 13 months of her life.

All of us have travelled around the United States and the world, as both coaches and competitors.

This blog will document our travels and swims, either training or competition, and the pools in which either or both took place.

We will emphasise the pools in which, one, both, or all of us have actually trained and competed.

This project is a labor of love and we hope that everyone will enjoy the trip as much as we enjoy bringing it to you.