Shawn Delifus, the Head Age Group coach of Julington Creek Loggerhead Aquatics passed away yesterday, according to Florida Swim Network.
In a message to his team, head coach Mark Corely reflected, “Coach Shawn was an incredibly talented coach with a vision for our program and community that made him one-of-a-kind in swimming.”
Delifus graduated from the University of North Florida in 2007 and coached the women’s team there, before going on to coach at the YMCA of Central Florida and YMCA of Florida’s First Coast in Jacksonville, as well as the Blue Eagle Swim Team of Pennsylvania.
Corely also wrote, “He is beloved by teams he’s touched all over the country and by his swimmers everywhere. We are fortunate to have him as a part of our program and his enthusiasm and infectious personality will live with his #loggerheadarmy forever.”
Delifus, who was only 30, coached his swimmers to Florida Swimming records and a high point award at the recent Florida Age Group championships.
His past swimmers have also included four Olympic Trials qualifiers and the 2010 Florida Swimmer of the Year.
Many shared their condolences on Facebook. Brian Spillers was one of them, writing, ““Great Coach, role model, and friend. My boys are better young men that he was part of their lives. Nothing compares to you, Coach Shawn.”
He coached at North Florida Swimming too 🙂