Prior to World War II, the Calumet region's population concentrated north of Ridge Road.  During this period,  Whiting, East Chicago, Gary, and Hammond  established successful high school swim teams.  After the war, their populations migrated south to the undeveloped farmlands of Lake County.  This migration produced a decline in the economies of the older portions of the county.

     In contrast, newer communities were economically and educationally more prosperous and homogeneous.  As the new communities evolved, their swim teams competed on the state and national levels.  Costly, modern facilities were essential to their success.  However, money alone did not produce victories.

    Munster, the first town south of Ridge Road to win a state championship, developed a winning program because of the visionary coaching of Jon Jepsen and Chuck Chelich.  Their coaching  influenced programs throughout the region.  Most notably, Doug Norris employed these techniques at East Chicago Central High School, a school with a racially diverse population that lacked the affluence of newer communities.

     Table of Contents             To Learn More            Home Page