When Bob Bowman arrived at Arizona State University several years back to lead the Sun Devils with a fork forged in the fires of a Phelpsian Symphony that will resonate for as long as the Olympic Flame burns, Ray Anderson, then athletic director and now professor of law at ASU, said:

“[The hiring of Bob Bowman] marks a seminal moment in the Sun Devil Swimming program. Bob is an icon in this sport and one of the most respected coaches in the industry. Under Bob’s guidance we will compete for individual, conference and national titles, produce All-Americans and Olympians, and create the most expansive developmental swim program in all of collegiate sports. His experience at every level of competition will allow him to grow our swimming program into an elite team and an invaluable community asset.” 

When the Sun Devils lifted their first NCAA swimming championship title in history last spring, Bowman returned the compliment:

"I am very honored and excited to lead the Sun Devil Swimming program. The leadership and vision of excellence established under Ray Anderson is impressive, and is matched by the enthusiasm and support of the entire Athletic Department. I look forward to returning to coach at the collegiate level and be part of the great community that Arizona State University has to offer. I am motivated by the opportunity to help develop student-athletes as individuals and I am confident that we can build a swimming program that will be a source of pride for all ASU students, faculty and alumni."

In 2019, Bob Bowman sat in his commander-in-chief chair at Arizona State University (ASU) and spoke enthusiastically for about 20 minutes in answer to my simple question: what's the mission?

Almost five years on, the mission was accomplished. And here is how Bowman looked back on the challenges of his own post-Phelps career last night as ASU claimed its first Men's NCAA swimming title in history:

"In 2015, I knew that a very significant chapter in my life was ending and I was looking for a challenge to keep me moving forward professionally and personally. The journey has been frustrating, exhausting, exhilarating and deeply meaningful. Now we are at the end of the beginning. Couldn’t love this team more and I’m beyond grateful to our @sundevilswimdive community for the support and encouragement. Can’t wait to see what we can do in the next phase because we are just getting started! #doyourwork #leavenodoubt" - Bob Bowman.

It had all turned out so well. Not by accident, chance or luck, but by design - and not only for the 'Devils' but those who headed West in search of the best finishing school they could find in the realm of swim-scholar pathways.

Our SOS Men's Coaching Campaign Award goes to:

• Bob Bowman and Team, including the crew he worked with at the Sun Devils, Nicolas Castel, the sports director at Dauphins du TOEC in Toulouse who developed Léon Marchand, and Zoltan Magyarovits, who developed Hubert Kós at the UTE club in Budapest. Both development coaches have been praised by Bowman for delivering athletes with high-levels skills, physical and mental, and ready to rumble towards n the race for Olympic honours.
• In keeping with some of the work we will be emphasising at SOS, recognition also goes to the parents of the athletes. Marchand's mum Céline Bonnet, the French 1992 Olympic swimmer, and dad  Xavier Marchand, Perth 1998 Worlds silver medallist over 200IM atop a career that included European silver and bronze medals and the Mediterranean Games title in the same event. Kós' mum is Kitty Kós, his half-Irish dad Nick Kós. All four parents have been described, in various ways and words, as "ideal" when it comes to raising champions-to-be, in ways similar to the stories that underpin the success of David Popovici, and many others. It's not essential and certainly not a part of the experience of every champion ... but, gosh, does it help!

As the following shows...