The West Fargo Flyers swim team competes in meets all across North Dakota. Kids from five years old to college age arrive at the L.E Burger pool for practices Monday through Friday. This year the 140 members of the Flyers team will be getting new insight into swimming along with a new coach.
Badger Faison has been involved in aquatics for more than 30 years. With a mother as a swim coach and two swimming sisters, Faison was made for the pool life. He began swimming at the age of five and didn’t stop until his college years.
As a captain of his high school team he lettered, and gained national awards and records for swimming. After college, Faison continued his passion by joining the YWCA as the Aquatic Director and then moving onto the YWCA Southern Regional Director.
Faison’s love for the competition shows in his willingness to take the lead and his readiness to teach others different swimming techniques. From coaching at a country club to helping the nationally ranked Cincinnati Marlins, Faison has helped young swimmers use their potential to reach their goals. With a record of helping 24 swimmers gain college scholarships, and coaching 18 nationally- ranked swimmers, Faison has a record that proves his worth as a coach and mentor.
While being the new coach is not always easy, Faison pulls it off by impressing his team and his co-workers with his coaching style. Sophomore Matt Montplaisir has been on the Flyers team for eight years. He will also be spending his summer coaching with Faison.
“He’s really nice and he brings in new ideas,” Montplaisir said. “He really tries to fix everything.”
Lexie Halberstadt, a Flyers coach, thinks that bringing Faison on as another coach has benefited the team.
“So far Badger is doing a great job with the Flyers,” Halberstadt said. “He expects swimmers to be at their best at all times and ready to work hard day in and day out, the team has grown substantially in the past years and continues to excel.”
Faison describes his style of coaching as more “vocal” than normal. While keeping organized and planning everything out, Faison insists on being consistent and even-handed with the swimmers.
“You have to keep the team organized, planned, and active,” Faison said.
With some swimmers committing to 15 hours of practice per week, Faison has really kept the team active. As for the end results, Faison says that he does not really care about them.
“It doesn’t matter what place you get, a real champion is someone who is able to make a commitment,” said Faison. “You have to make a commitment to develop yourself further.”
Faison admits to being excited about being a part of the team and he looks forward to working in the nice facility they are provided. The swimmers are just as excited for a new coach, embracing his high-fives and taking in all of his advice.
“Everybody likes him,” Montplaisir said. “I think he’ll take our team to higher levels.”