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Meet Mike Steineman '92: Boys Swim & Dive Coach, Biology Teacher

By Staff, 08/11/21, 11:30AM CDT

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Our faculty are dedicated to our students! Many of them don't only teach - they also coach or advise clubs as well. 

To celebrate our coaches who also teach or are staff at CDH, we're sharing a Q&A with each of them over the next few months! Today, meet Mike Steineman '92, Boys Swim & Dive Coach and Biology Teacher. 

Did you participate in the sport you coach as a student-athlete? 
Yes, I swam for the CDH Swimming & Diving Team for four years from 1988 to 1992.

What made you decide to coach? 
My coach while I was at CDH was Mark Mirsch '86. I also swam at Hamline University where my Coach, Paul Lundsten, was a '79 graduate from Hamline.  I always thought it was so cool that they both coached the teams that they swam for.  Most importantly, I really wanted to make the Swimming and Diving program at CDH just as successful as the other athletic teams.

How long have you been coaching here at CDH?

I have been honored to be the Head Coach of the Boys Swimming & Diving Team for the last 25 years (1996 - present).  I have also spent a total of 5 years as an Assistant Coach on the Girls Swimming & Diving Team during two different stints (1998 & 2016-2019).

What do you love about coaching?
It is so much fun to see my swimmers & divers set goals and be a part of the journey that will hopefully help them accomplish those goals.  Plus, they can swim or dive for the rest of their lives!  

How does your experience as a coach improve your teaching and vice versa?  
I get to see other aspects of my student's and athlete's lives.  Academics are first and foremost. Activities are an important part of high school as well. As a teacher and a coach, I can help my student-athletes find a good balance between challenge and fun.  Too much of either is not good!

Do you have any favorite memories from your time coaching?
My favorite memories of coaching have nothing to do with what we have done in the water.  Don't get me wrong, we have witnessed some AMAZING swimming and diving!  When our team has pulled together in times of tragedy, I have seen some of the most endearing and powerful moments in my coaching career.  Sadly, we have had parents, grandparents, and team members that have died.  I am awestruck at the way that the young men and women of the swimming & diving teams have pulled together, to help each other, and get through those difficult moments in life.  I vividly remember one of my former swimmers saying that he knew he was going to be OK, when he looked up at his Mom's funeral, and saw every member of the team fully decked out in their CDH Swimming & Diving gear. I have had that same experience when my Dad died. I knew that I was going to be OK because the team was there for me and my family.  

Read about previously featured coaches:
Chris Babcock
Amy Bellus '90
Rob Bollinger
Mike Brewer
Jesse Cusick '98
Crystal Flint
Bob Kinne '11
Jerry Kline '93
Jerry Macken
Chuck Miesbauer '03
Randy Muetzel
Joe Miley '11