BLOOMINGTON, Indiana, April 22. A longtime Hoosier swimming supporter and friend of legendary coach Doc Counsilman, Doug Strong passed away on April 20.
Strong was the recipient of the Marge Counsilman Service Award in 2007. A former swimmer at Northwestern and a 1949 graduate of the University of Texas, Strong was an accomplished Masters swimmer. He holds a number of state masters records, especially in the 75-79 and 80-84 year old age groups. He was ranked top 10 nationally in dozens of events, going back as far as 1971. Last summer (2010) he placed in the top 10 nationally in four long-course events in the 85-89 age category.
Strong was a retired piano technician at the School of Music. He graduated from Texas in 1949 with a Bachelor of Music in orchestral instruments. For many years he played French horn in the Bloomington Symphony.
Strong and his wife Margaret established the Doug Strong Swimming Scholarship, as well as a scholarship with the IU Jacobs School of Music.
A memorial service for Strong will take place in Bloomington at a later date.
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…so sorry & sad to hear of Doug’s death. Daughter, Jennifer, and I express our sincere condolences to the family. He will be missed by many folk. Thank you GRIN for letting us know of this message.
I remember swimming with Doug in Bloomington in the 70′s and saw him at meets after I moved away. He was always an inspiration.
Doug’s last USMS meet was in 2010 at the MN LCM meet….Doug was a true embassador for USMS and for the GReater INdiana LMSC. ..his enthusiasm for USMS continued after his move to MN in August 2008 to be closer to his family. Doug’s determination to compete inspite of monumental health challenges should be a reminder to all Masters swimmers.
Thank you, Doug, for being an inspiration to all of us who age up!