Irvine Swim League 2014 Todd K. Larsen Coach of the Year
Kyle Kim-E, Park Paseo Northstars
We had many wonderful nominations for the Todd K. Larsen Coach of the Year award this year, but one stood out from the rest. Coach Kyle Kim-E, head coach for the Park Paseo Northstars. Coach Kyle is passionate about carrying on the traditions and spirit of the Northstars team. He makes sure every swimmer gets better individually while having fun doing it. This is what creates a life long love for swimming. It is why he is so valuable to the Northstars team and ISL.
Kyle is an alumni of the Northstars and has been their head coach for four years. He has done excellent work for the swim team and he is well respected by their families and the community. He has consistently exceeded expectations and has gone above and beyond for the benefit of the team.
He has organized Fun Fridays for the team on his own time. He coordinates dinners with the other coaches, including the youth volunteers, to debrief after the meets and talk about what the coaches could have done better. He and his staff have seen 5 Park Paseo records broken this year, including a relay record that had stood for 20 years.
His interests outside of the swim team include the charity he founded while a student at Chapman University, Wells for Well Being (www.wellsforwellbeing.org.)Kyle and his team construct wells and deliver water filtration systems in Cambodia. He has spent the last two spring breaks in Cambodia personally overseeing construction and relief efforts.
“Kyle is respectful to all his swimmers, the team parents, and his fellow coaches. In addition, Kyle is an excellent role model for our swimmers. Along with coaching, Kyle has started his own philanthropic organization. Kyle has been a tremendous coach for Park Paseo. I believe that Kyle Kim-E embodies what Park Paseo strives to teach all their swimmers; a strong work ethic, respect, and compassion. He is a tremendous coach and person and I would strongly recommend him for the Coach of the Year award.” ~ Vivian Sellwood, Northstars Parent