Charlie Kennedy: Two Paths, One Journey

Senior Profile by Christina Manning

Photos from the collection of Charlie Kennedy

We’re delighted to share this “Senior Profile,” about Charlie Kennedy, a Newtown Square resident who felt a calling towards two different careers: music and swimming. “My parents met through music, and they always had classical or Broadway music playing throughout the house. My first love was music,” said Charlie. He was classically trained on the piano and also played the pipe organ. Aware of his deep love for music, his father took him to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra for his birthday. “It was a profound experience,” recalled Charlie.

When Charlie was 9 years old, he shifted his focus to swimming and what ensued was a “50+ years love affair with the sport,” said Charlie. He first started at St. Albans Swim Club, then at 10, he made the Suburban Swim Club team, as the Suburban Seahawks Club (SSC) team was known back then. He graduated from Marple Newtown High School, and then attended the University of Iowa on an athletic scholarship awarded to him for his swimming talent.

During his senior year at college, he was hoping to go to the Olympic Trials, but, the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.Though never making it to the Olympic trials himself, as a coach, he would take his own swimmers to seven Olympic Trials.

While in college, he rediscovered his passion for music. “When my teammates were out socializing, I went to the music building. I found that playing music took me to another place and helped me relax from the pressures of Division One Athletics,” said Charlie.

“The Kennedys” performing in the July 2000 Rose Tree Summer Festival

The love Charlie and his parents, Pat and Lee Kennedy, had for music turned into a professional career for all of them: They became a musical trio called “The Kennedys.” “We performed everywhere we could,” said Charlie, “from weddings and funerals to anniversaries. We were there for people in the good times and bad times.” All three of them sang, with his mother covering many of the lead vocals. His father played the clarinet and Charlie composed the vocal and musical arrangements. “The Kennedys” performed together until 2014. “It was a privilege,” said Charlie, “and I will forever cherish those memories I made with my parents.”

During college summers, Charlie came back to St. Albans, to help coach their team. In the summer of 1982, some swimmers’ parents approached him about interviewing for the position of Head Coach at SSC. “The club’s membership had greatly decreased and they weren’t even sure if they could keep the lights on,” explained Charlie. He was, however, intrigued by the idea of being the Head Coach at the club he grew up swimming at. “I wanted to help rebuild and establish this club as an elite program,” said Charlie, “so I took the job.”

The Suburban Seahawks Club Team, 2019 Middle Atlantic Senior Swimming Champions

Still SSC Head Coach 38 years later, Charlie’s main role is choosing the swim meets, planning out the season and basically overseeing anything that has to do with the swim team. “I’m very fortunate to have amazing Assistant Coaches. I could not run this program by myself,” said Charlie. “Their level of expertise is a big reason why this program has been so successful!” In 2016 and 2017, Charlie’s swim team came in 1st Place for the Middle Atlantic Junior Championships. The following two years, they came in 1st Place for the Middle Atlantic Senior Championships - four gold trophies in four years! Charlie’s expertise and dedication earned him the honor of being named 2019 National Club Swimming Association (NCSA) Coach of the Year.

Suburban Seahawks Club Head Coach Charlie Kennedy

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Charlie and SSC. In 1996, Newtown Square got 30” of snow and the weight caused the club’s roof to buckle. “We wondered how we would survive!” recalled Charlie. For the next six years, SSC’s swim team used Swarthmore College’s pool. In February 2002, SSC coaches and swimmers were thrilled and delighted to start using their brand-new facility.

Charlie said the most enjoyable part of his job is working with the kids. “As a single guy, my path was different than many people’s,“ said Charlie, “but I’ve had the opportunity to work with kids all these years.” Looking back at his own swimming career, Charlie understands how challenges he faced in athletics have helped him face life’s challenges. “The lessons and skills you learn are invaluable. Athletics teaches you how to work together as a team, push through setbacks and challenge yourself. Being able to work with these kids, mentor them and help them navigate their path is really rewarding.”

Andrew Austria has worked with and been mentored by Charlie Kennedy since joining SSC's coaching staff in 2015. Andrew is so impressed with Charlie’s knowledge, dedication and achievements that he recently nominated Charlie to the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA) Hall of Fame and also to the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) Hall of Fame.

Charlie uses first-hand experiences to help his swimmers meet the challenges in their demanding sport,” said Andrew. “Charlie’s list of accomplishments speaks volumes about his compassion and dedication to the sport,” continued Andrew, “but what’s most impressive is how Charlie is so involved and invested in what he does and how he customizes each swimmer's goals and then works so hard to help each one succeed.

Charlie Kennedy and Danielle Mackey, MNHS grads and MNHS Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Danielle Mackey has known Charlie since she was 10 when he coached her on the St. Albans Swim Club team. She continued being coached by Charlie when he became SSC’s Head Coach, and with his mentoring and her skill and determination, Danielle became Charlie’s first Olympic Trials Qualifier swimmer. Her love of the sport motivated her to work with Charlie as a Coach at SSC for the past 17 years.

I’m fortunate to have known Charlie,” said Danielle. “He’s a dear friend whom I’ve watched wear many hats to help thousands of swimmers from Newtown Square and the surrounding areas to reach their greatest potential, not just in swimming but in life. Charlie treated the best swimmers the same as novice swimmers.

Kennedy Family (front row L-R): Charlie’s brother-inlaw Jim Barlow, Charlie’s parents Lee and Pat, Charlie (back row L-R): Charlie’s sisters PK Barlow, Sheila, Tracie and Christine

Charlie Kennedy hopes to continue coaching as long as he can and possibly also continuing with his music career. “I’ve had two careers, but they’ve rarely intersected,” reflected Charlie, “almost like two different hemispheres of my brain, but both have been very good to me.”

Do you know a Senior Newtown Square resident in service to our community? Send your nominations for future “Senior Profile” features to Christina Manning by email CManning@BestVersionMedia.com.