"... and thanks for your support."

Not only was I elected ILMSA chair (my term begins 2009-06-01), but I was also selected as the ILMSA Coach of the Year for 2009. Thanks to everyone who nominated me, voted for me, or otherwise showed your support for me on both of these great honors!

On February 25, I announced my intention to run for Chair of the Illinois Masters Swimming Association (ILMSA, aka the Illinois LMSC) in the April 18th election. Included below is a short summary of my background, contributions, and platform. If you require further documentation, please don't hesitate to contact me at your convenience.

Chris Colburn has been coaching Masters swimmers since 1990, and has been swimming at the Masters level since 1993. Since moving to Illinois in 1999, Chris has coached and represented Rush Copley Masters (1999-2000), Naperville Waves (2000 - 2006), and Academy Bullets Masters (2006 - present). Locally, Chris has served on the CMSA and ILMSA Web Content and Communications Committees since 2003. Since 2005, Chris has served as ILMSA Vice Chair and Webmaster/IT Director. At the national level, Chris has served U.S. Masters Swimming as On-Deck Coaching Coordinator (1999 - 2000, 2006 - present), and as a member of the Coaches Committee, filling the roles of Vice-Chair (2006 - 2008) and Chair (2008 - present).

As U.S. Masters Swimming enters a period of great organizational change, ILMSA has great opportunities to align its processes with the new structure, and to influence positive change when needed for the betterment of our members and our organization. Chris plans to keep in close contact with members and club/team leadership. He hopes this dialogue will ensure that ILMSA continues to strive to serve the best interests of all its members, attracting new members and member organizations while giving current members more and better opportunities to pursue aquatic fitness and competition each year. In short, Chris hopes to provide supportive, open-minded leadership and transparent, frequent communication to enable ILMSA to become a positive example of local governance for LMSCs around the country.