Swimming with science on their side

Veteran head coach Budd Termin takes an academic approach to swimming. As his men's swimming team gears up for battle in its upcoming season, Termin returns to the helm of only team in the world to take advantage of a scientific machine called the Craig Velocity Meter.

Invented by Dr. Al Craig from the School of Medicine at the University of Rochester, the training tool calibrates the speed of each swimmer's stroke, helping the swimmers improve their form.

"We use physics," Termin said. "It's the way we coach."

With science on its side, the UB men's swimming and diving team hopes some help from the unique training method will enhance its chances of bringing home a Mid-American Conference championship.

Swimmers at UB also benefit from Termin's work as an inventor. Termin has a patent pending on a new type of swimsuit, which he helped to develop with the aid of Buffalo professors Dave Pendergast and Joseph Mollendorf. The swimsuit was even worn by some competitors in the 2004 Olympic games and helped win five medals.

According to the UB athletics Web site, Pendergast points to the "published observation that Termin's swimmers' times improve eight to 10 percent over the swimmer's career while nationally, swimmers improve between one and three percent."

Senior Jeff Hurst is one of the swimmers who has benefited from Termin's scientific training methods and will be relied on to perform his best in some of the big meets.

"Jeff has finished very good and scored points for the team in the MAC championships," Termin said.

Kevin Gatley and Kurt Bessel are also seniors returning this season, and are likely to continue to put forth strong individual performances.

"They have been constant point scorers throughout their careers on the team," Termin said.

Luke Adams is set to begin his third year for the Bulls as he is coming off a 2004-2005 season in which he was named the team's most valuable player. Adams also received UB's newcomer of the year award for his performance in 2003-2004.

Termin said that the team finished last season very well and hopes to carry the momentum into the new season.

"Last season ended on a high note," Termin said. "Fifteen of our swimmers went to the MAC championships and 14 of the 15 got back and scored. That's the goal: to get as many people into scoring as possible."

Termin was pleased to see that his team had returned this season in solid physical condition.

"Most team members spent the summer staying in shape, especially the incoming freshmen," Termin said. "There has to be a year-round training strategy at this competition level."

The Bulls have their sights set on national recognition.

"A goal is always to move up as a team," Termin said. "We always try to get people qualified to the NCAA Championship, and get as many people back in the top 16 as we take to the meet, and to improve everyone's individual lifetime bests."

UB will have one dual meet with each of the MAC teams and then face off against all of them at the MAC championship in its upcoming season.

The Bulls also have several non-conference dual meets and are scheduled to attend the December Invitational in Akron, which will include teams both in and out of the MAC. Other teams competing at the invitational are Ball State, St. Bonaventure, Clarion University and Illinois State University.

Three of the weaker teams in the MAC including Toledo, Northern Illinois and Bowling Green, have dropped their swimming programs in the past three years, making intra-conference competition much more stiff.

"Now since there are only five teams, it's a close battle with all of the MAC," Termin said.

Termin and the team also strive to excel academically as well as athletically.

"A very important team goal is to have a team grade point average that is nationally ranked," Termin said. "The team has been in the top 20 for the last 15 years."

Termin helps the team achieve academic excellence by holding team study hours four days a week, as well as giving his athletes an opportunity to share academic successes in its Saturday morning meetings.

Termin is optimistic about the season and has confidence in his athletes.

"It's hard to make predictions because a race comes down to tenths and hundredths of seconds, but we want everyone to perform well and see where that puts us. If the team performs well, that usually puts us in good position," said Termin.

The men's swimming team will host its season opener on Friday against Ball State in the UB Natatorium at 4 p.m.