John deBarbadillo

John Joseph deBarbadillo Sr. (March 21, 1909-November 23, 2000) was an American swim coach, best known for coaching Pennsylvania's York YMCA swim club from around 1929-March, 1974. He later coached the Outdoor Country Club from 1974-1986, and the YWCA Blue Dolphins from 1985-2000, though he was not officially a YMCA staff member at that time. During his career, he was credited with coaching 58 All American swimmers, and 1948 London Olympic Bronze 200-meter breaststroke medalist Bob Sohl. He grew up around Brilhart Station in York County about 80 miles East of Philadelphia and taught himself to swim at York County's Codorus Creek's South Branch around the age of 10. He attended York High School, and later attended York Collegiate Institute, now known as York College of Pennsylvania. deBarbadillo passed the American National Life Saving Course during the mid-1920's while active in the Gymnasium courses at the York YMCA. He developed a relationship with Bob Hoffman, who started the York Barbell Club. From his association with weight training specialist Hoffman, deBarbadillo learned to apply strength training and nutrition as part of the preparation for both gymnastics, and eventually competitive swimming, where his teams would excel. By around 1935, the York YMCA Aquatic club had become a nationally recognized team. In the 1930's when the butterfly arm motion was first developed, deBarbadillo aided its growth and studied it to further its development. In his long career, he would help in the creation and growth of the YMCA's Masters Swimming Program, writing the Master's rules for competition, and directing the 1981 National Championship for YMCA Masters, the program's first national championship. One of York's swimmers, Dick Guyer, would coach the York Suburban Senior High School swim team

Naval service Entering the U.S. Navy during the WWII era in 1943, John worked in various positions, and later worked in the Pacific theatre where he taught swimming.

deBarbadillo married his first wife Dorothy Knaub at the Valley Forge Chapel on September 3, 1932. Dorothy was a 1926 graduate of York High School who predeceased him in 1972. He later married Betty Neal Reinecker deBarbadillo. His wife Betty enjoyed travelling with John, and helped officiate at many of the YMCA meets John coached and attended.

Staying active in the swimming community, John served as a referee and official for United States Swimming, American Athletic Union, and National Collegiate Association meets, as well as on state and regional committees for these and other swimming-related organizations.

deBarbadillo died on the morning of November 23 at York Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his wife Betty Neal DeBarbadillo, and a son John who became a physician and swam for LeHigh University. deBarbadillo was also survived by a stepson, and two granddaughters. A service was held on November 28, 2000 at Church of St. John the Baptist on N. Beaver Street, and he was buried in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens in York County adjacent to his first wife Dorothy. He had been a member of York's St. John the Baptist, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Other honors included a 1999 induction into the National YMCA Hall of Fame, whose members are displayed at Springfield College, as well as becoming an inductee to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and a 1973 York County Sports Hall of Fame inductee.