University Pays Tribute to Coach
 In 2006, the University of North Carolina wanted to update the equipment in its Koury Natatorium. However, the new equipment wasn’t just a needed upgrade; it was a way to honor Coach Frank Comfort, who retried in the summer of 2007. After coaching 30 years at UNC and more than 500 total dual-meet victories, a record among collegiate swimming coaches, Comfort deserved to be recognized. Installing new equipment for the natatorium seemed like a fitting tribute.
Making the upgrade
The university contacted Sports Timing & Software, a Colorado Time Systems distributor in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Two full-color video display boards (one for diving, one for swimming), 6 blue LED wireless pace clocks, Colorado blocks with RJPs, System 6 Timing Console, and quick-connect deck plates were chosen for the natatorium.
"The Colorado Time Systems scoreboard is an invaluable part of our college
dual meets and club meets for both swimming and diving. We also use the
scoreboard during practice, during water polo tournaments, and we have
connected it to a satellite dish to use it as a big television for our
college basketball games as students wait to get tickets," said Assistant
Swimming Coach Eric Stefanski. "We've used it for highlight and psych-up
videos to get the crowd and team going before each home meet, and we used it
for a Senior Day to display pictures and video of the graduating seniors.
The parents and spectators love it!"
"We have been fortunate to have UNC as our customer for about 6 years now," said Billy Culbertson, co-owner, Sports Timing & Software. "The relationship we have built allows us to address all of their aquatic timing needs now and into the future."
Personal, comprehensive service
Sports Timing & Software didn’t just install and maintain equipment for UNC, they also run swim meets.
"We ran their meets last year – all their dual meets, as well as any large invitationals," said Culbertson. "We were also onsite for the timing operations for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championships, both men’s and women’s."
A fitting success
Since UNC uses all CTS equipment, there were no integration issues between the new and old equipment. An easy implementation was certainly fitting for Coach Comfort, recipient of 11 Coach of the Year titles and 25 Atlantic Coast Conference championships – 10 with the men’s team and 15 with the women’s team.
"We’ve worked with UNC to make them happy," said Mark Polansky, Sales Consultant for CTS. "The entire implementation was a fitting tribute to a coach who is among the highest esteemed in collegiate swimming."
For more information about CTS equipment and services, contact CTS at 1-800-279-0111 or www.coloradotime.com/contact.asp. |
