Eric Namesnik

Eric Namesnik

File:Ericnamesnik.JPG
Personal information
Full name	Eric John Namesnik
Nickname	"Snik"
National team	United States
Born	(1970-08-07)August 7, 1970 Butler, Pennsylvania
Died	January 11, 2006(2006-01-11) (aged 35) Ypsilanti, Michigan
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	172 lb (78 kg)
Spouse	Kirsten Silvester
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Individual medley
Club	Club Wolverine
College team	University of Michigan
Coach	Jon Urbanchek (Michigan)
Medal record Men's swimming Representing the United States Olympic Games Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 400 m medley Silver medal – second place 1996 Atlanta 400 m medley World Championships (LC) Silver medal – second place 1991 Perth 200 m medley Silver medal – second place 1991 Perth 400 m medley Bronze medal – third place 1994 Rome 400 m medley Pan Pacific Championships Gold medal – first place 1991 Edmonton 400 m medley Silver medal – second place 1989 Tokyo 400 m medley Silver medal – second place 1991 Edmonton 200 m medley Silver medal – second place 1995 Atlanta 400 m medley Pan American Games Silver medal – second place 1995 Mar del Plata 200 m breast Silver medal – second place 1995 Mar del Plata 400 m medley Bronze medal – third place 1995 Mar del Plata 200 m medley

Eric John Namesnik (August 7, 1970 – January 11, 2006), nicknamed "Snik," was an American competition swimmer who competed for the University of Michigan and a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the men's 400-meter Individual Medley (1992 & 1996).

Early years

Namesnik was born and raised in the town of Butler, Pennsylvania, and swam for the Butler YMCA Swim team while he was growing up. He initially attended Butler Area Senior High School, transferring after his sophomore season to Spanish River Community High School in Boca Raton, Florida.

He accepted a swimming scholarship from the University of Michigan, to compete under coach Jon Urbanchek's Michigan Wolverines swimming and diving team from 1989 to 1993.

Olympics 1992-96

Namesnik represented the United States at two consecutive Olympic Games. At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, he received his first Olympic medal, a silver, for his second-place performance in the men's 400-meter individual medley (4:15.57).

Four years later at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, he again finished second and received a silver medal in his signature event, the men's 400-meter individual medley (4:15.25).

Competition highlights

He also won a bronze medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the 1994 world championships, and two silvers at the 1991 world meet. He set a new American record in the 400-meter individual medley on four occasions.

Swim coaching

He spent seven years (1997-2004) as an assistant with the men's Michigan Wolverines swimming and diving team under coach Jon Urbanchek. He was a volunteer assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University for two years before his death and was a coach for Wolverine Aquatics Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Death

Namesnik died on January 11, 2006, from injuries sustained in a car accident the prior week. On January 7, 2006, he was critically injured in an accident that occurred when he attempted to pass another vehicle on an ice-covered road in Pittsfield Township, Michigan. He was survived by his wife, former swimmer Kirsten Silvester from the Netherlands, and their two children, Austin and Madison. His former club team, Club Wolverine, hosts the Namesnik Memorial Grand Prix every spring in his honor.

He is memorialized with a statue outside of the Butler County YMCA, along with his childhood coach John "Pump" McLaughlin.

See also

• List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
• List of University of Michigan alumni
• List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (men)

External links

• Eric Namesnik at Find a Grave
• Eric Namesnik Obituary