Former Fergus Falls boys and girls swimming coach, Tom Uvaas, was inducted into the Minnesota Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday night.  Uvaas was honored at the 2021-2022 Minnesota All State Swimming and Diving Banquet at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest.

Rob Bigwood introduced Coach Uvaas to the large crowd in attendance.  He was at the event with his wife, Gretchen.  Tom coached all three of the Bigwood’s children in the Otter program.

Dave Lindig, the Head Boys Swimming Coach when Uvaas moved to Fergus Falls, was recognized by Uvaas for mentoring him in his early years as an assistant coach and helping to shape his approach to becoming a head coach.  He also gave thanks to Joyce Monk, who Uvaas said was extremely valuable to him as a co-coach for many years.

Former Fergus Falls swimmer, Nathan Linscheid, who has been the head girls’ coach at Visitation High School for many years, was one of the nominees for Coach of the Year.

Tom’s fellow inductee, Karen Bosveld Zemlin, has a very interesting history, so if you want to read about some amazing accomplishments you should do an internet search for her!

All-State swimmers from both Class A and AA were recognized as part of the special night.

His college coach, Mike Davis, was also in attendance, along with Dave and Julie Busack and their children, who both swam for Uvaas, Stacy, now an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota, and Kyle, who is a Physicians’ Assistant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  A third Busack child, Heidi, who also swam for Uvaas, lives in Alaska and was unable to be in attendance. 

Richard and Denise Risbrudt, longtime friends of Tom and his wife, Kathy, were also there to support Coach Uvaas on his special night. 

John Foss, the creator of the Foss Swim School, who Uvaas has been associated with for years, was also at the banquet.

Kathy, who Tom referred to in his induction speech as “My Hero” was accompanied by daughter Kayley and grandchildren, Jack and Claire.