Men’s swimming associate head coach Anthony Boettcher passes
3/13/2023 12:02:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Services will be Wednesday, April 5, at 1 p.m. in the Air Force Community Chapel.
Air Force Associate Head Men's Swimming Coach Anthony Boettcher passed away Sunday, Air Force Director of Athletics Nathan Pine announced. Boettcher was in his 13th season as an assistant at the Academy. Services will be Wednesday, April 5, at 1 p.m. in the Air Force Community Chapel.
"We are deeply saddened to share the news of Anthony's passing," Pine said. "He had an incredible positive impact, not only at the Air Force Academy as an assistant coach, a physical education instructor and mentor, but also to the state and local community as a long-time high school and club swimming coach. On behalf of our Athletic Department and Academy, I offer our deepest condolences to Coach Boettcher's family and all of our current and former cadet-athletes, coaches and staff."
"Once your life crossed paths with Anthony, you were a friend for life. I often marveled at his ability to maintain close relationships with so many of his former teammates, swimmers he coached, parents, fellow coaches, colleagues, and his large extended family. He cared deeply for his athletes and also for those cadets who were fortunate enough to have him as a teacher in Basic Swimming," Air Force Head Men's Swimming Coach Rob Clayton said. "The impact he made on so many was seen during his final days as hundreds of people visited him in the hospital. He had touched so many, and so many wanted to see him and express their gratitude and love for him.
"He and I shared the deck and coached together for over a decade," Clayton said. "He was a partner during the best of times and during the rough times. I could trust him to always do what's best for me personally and what's best for the cadets. I will miss his friendship, his professionalism, his oft-misunderstood sense of humor. Mostly I will miss the man who always reminded me why we do what we do, how we take our love for a sport and use it to love and serve people. Anthony loved well, and he was loved by so many. He leaves behind many who mourn, but who are better people for having known Anthony. Rest in peace, my friend."
A lifelong resident of Colorado, Boettcher had over 30 years of experience as a high school and club coach in the state. He helped Air Force claim three Western Athletic Conference championships (2016, 2017 and 2020). He helped coach 28 individual conference champions and six conference relay champions. He also helped three swimmers achieve All-American status in Michael Barnosky in 2016 and Zach Nelson and Wen Zhang in 2020. Boettcher also coached four straight WAC Swimmers of the Year (Nelson in 2020, Isaac Gwin in 2021 and Zhang in 2022 and 2023).
Boettcher came to the Academy from Falfins Swimming, USA Swimming club team in Colorado Springs and was the head coach for the Wheat Ridge Piranhans (1982-90) and a year-round USA Swimming Coach in the town of Evergreen. He also coached the boys and girls high school teams at Evergreen High School. Boettcher was a long-time volunteer for Colorado Swimming, Inc., and USA Swimming. He earned multiple awards for his volunteerism with both organizations.
The Academy will share more news about services as details become available.
"We are deeply saddened to share the news of Anthony's passing," Pine said. "He had an incredible positive impact, not only at the Air Force Academy as an assistant coach, a physical education instructor and mentor, but also to the state and local community as a long-time high school and club swimming coach. On behalf of our Athletic Department and Academy, I offer our deepest condolences to Coach Boettcher's family and all of our current and former cadet-athletes, coaches and staff."
"Once your life crossed paths with Anthony, you were a friend for life. I often marveled at his ability to maintain close relationships with so many of his former teammates, swimmers he coached, parents, fellow coaches, colleagues, and his large extended family. He cared deeply for his athletes and also for those cadets who were fortunate enough to have him as a teacher in Basic Swimming," Air Force Head Men's Swimming Coach Rob Clayton said. "The impact he made on so many was seen during his final days as hundreds of people visited him in the hospital. He had touched so many, and so many wanted to see him and express their gratitude and love for him.
"He and I shared the deck and coached together for over a decade," Clayton said. "He was a partner during the best of times and during the rough times. I could trust him to always do what's best for me personally and what's best for the cadets. I will miss his friendship, his professionalism, his oft-misunderstood sense of humor. Mostly I will miss the man who always reminded me why we do what we do, how we take our love for a sport and use it to love and serve people. Anthony loved well, and he was loved by so many. He leaves behind many who mourn, but who are better people for having known Anthony. Rest in peace, my friend."
A lifelong resident of Colorado, Boettcher had over 30 years of experience as a high school and club coach in the state. He helped Air Force claim three Western Athletic Conference championships (2016, 2017 and 2020). He helped coach 28 individual conference champions and six conference relay champions. He also helped three swimmers achieve All-American status in Michael Barnosky in 2016 and Zach Nelson and Wen Zhang in 2020. Boettcher also coached four straight WAC Swimmers of the Year (Nelson in 2020, Isaac Gwin in 2021 and Zhang in 2022 and 2023).
Boettcher came to the Academy from Falfins Swimming, USA Swimming club team in Colorado Springs and was the head coach for the Wheat Ridge Piranhans (1982-90) and a year-round USA Swimming Coach in the town of Evergreen. He also coached the boys and girls high school teams at Evergreen High School. Boettcher was a long-time volunteer for Colorado Swimming, Inc., and USA Swimming. He earned multiple awards for his volunteerism with both organizations.
The Academy will share more news about services as details become available.
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