Hinsdale Group Wants New Pool Named After Former Coach

HINSDALE, IL — A local group with a Facebook page has been fundraising for the new pool planned at Hinsdale Central High School. The name of the page is called "Don Watson Aquatics Center at Hinsdale Central HS." But the new pool has not been officially renamed after Watson, the school's longtime swim coach.

Watson died in 2017 at age 87. He coached five Olympic swimmers in the 1960s and 1970s at Hinsdale Central, according to Swimming World Magazine. In a news release last month, the district referred to Watson as "legendary."

At last month's school board meeting, board President Nancy Pollak recommended forming a new committee to discuss the district's procedures on naming rights. She said the recommendation was based on a request from the fundraising committee, which has asked the pool be named in honor of Watson.

Pollak said the school board committee should include administrators, parents, community members and others.

In a New Year's Eve announcement, managers of the Facebook page announced their effort was $125,000 shy of the $1.6 million fundraising goal.

"All donations were raised in just a few months through word of mouth, a few ads and lots of dedication from our swimming and diving community around the globe," the post said.

The original pool was built in 1958.