The purpose of Notre Dame Swimming is pursue athletic excellence, with self-discipline, and love for one another.

Tim Welsh spoke these words, in various forms, over his 29 year coaching career at Notre Dame. He coined this “mission statement for Notre Dame Swimming” and lived these words every day of his life, the most important being, Love for One Another.

This weekend I am making one of the hardest journeys of my life. I am going to say goodbye. Even writing those words required a few deep breaths and tissues. We knew this time was coming; pancreatic cancer is a nasty beast, and he fought it valiantly over the last nearly-two-years. I am grateful, through COVID, that I was still able so see him, to cook for him, to clean for him, to pray with him, to love him.

I have reflected over the past few days, privately and in talking with teammates, what Tim has meant to me. To all of us. He taught us so many lessons - beyond the pool - and the greatest lesson was to love. He loved coaching. He loved his swimmers. He loves his family. He loves Notre Dame, his faith, and God. Tim is the definition of a Life of Love.

When Jesus asked us to “love one another as I have loved you,” Tim said, “Yes.” Tim loved. Tim served. And Tim always put others first.
These are the lessons I will carry in my heart. These are the lessons I have learned from him. To love and to serve.

I will have more to share. But right now I’m just trying to figure out how to say goodbye to someone who taught me how to live.