The Northview high school’s Assistant Aquatic Director, NKATS (North Kent Aquatic Team) coach, exercise physiologist and wellness specialist, Terri Eudy’s passion has made a remarkable footprint here in the district and she loves every minute of it.
“I love working with aspiring athletes, [and] with a really smart team of people who know aquatics and physical activity and I also like facility operations. That’s what I do here,” said Eudy.
Recently, Eudy was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement award from Michigan State University and United States Swimming.
The Lifetime Achievement award is given to an individual who exemplifies the integrity and ideals of collegiate swimming, achieves significant success in the sport, all while imparting the educational and character-building qualities of the swimming experience. On top of this honor, Eudy has won humorous awards for her work in swim.
“I won coach of the year when I was coaching high school. I also received the Certificate of Merit through the American Red Cross, which is one of their higher awards that you can receive,” Eudy said. “I also received an employee of the month at Oakland University, where I used to work.”
Receiving achievements and awards have not been the only highlight of her career.
“I have had the privilege to coach a paralympian who made the National Paralympic team and represented [the United States] team in Peru,” Eudy said.
NKATS is a non-profit organization and board managed swim program in Kent County, Michigan, also located at the Northview Aquatic Center.
“I would say this year’s achievements by our NKAT team have been truly astounding,” Eudy Said. “We took a very large team to the state meet and we took a very large team to the sectional meet and I just found that to be a wonderful experience.”
And the achievements continue.
“I think one of the biggest achievements [made] here is building an overall comprehensive aquatics program,” Said Eudy.
Aa a coach of 25 years, Eudy creates an impactful environment including a variety of techniques into the swimmer’s training.
“I see myself not only as a coach who can apply the physiological principles of training to the sport but I also see myself as an educator to our athletes, allowing them to learn more about the sport, themselves, and how their body’s response to training so that they understand what they are experiencing,” said Eudy.
Along with developing physically and mentally tough athletes, one of the biggest factors Eudy pushes into her training is character development.
“My mantra ever since I’ve started coaching is that my athletes are the best people,” Eudy said. “I’m not going to explain it any differently to my athletes other than, we need to be outstanding citizens.”
“Meet people where they are at,” Eudy said. “ I have learned never to say never, the craziest things can happen.”
