For Muskego Boys Swim Coach, It's More than Just a Job

Imagine you’re a coach. Your team is pretty good, but there is some work to be done. By the end of the season, it all comes down to the final game. Your team wins. How do you celebrate? By staying after and cleaning up, of course.

That isn’t how most people would enjoy themselves after a season of success and another conference championship. But Muskego boys swimming coach Larry Milton isn’t most people.

After the team's big win over Racine Case, Milton celebrated their undefeated season and sixth-straight conference title by helping to take down ticket tables, close up concession stands and sweep up after everyone else had gone home for the night.

“That’s just Larry. He epitomizes the true essence of a high school coach,” MHS Athletic Director Scott Kugi said. “He is someone that is always going to give credit to the kids, to the parents, to others and not pat himself on the  back. We’re as proud as we can be of our swimming program and we are really proud of Larry Milton as the leader there.”

Milton, who started to coach swimming 34 years ago at Greendale high school before switching to Muskego four years ago, is a coaching legend when it comes to his sport.

That kind of recognition didn’t come simply by putting in his time and punching out at the end of the day. Milton not only stays late to help tidy up after meets but has a schedule that would make some professional coaches blush.

After a half-hour commute from Cudahy, Milton usually arrives at school between 4:30 and 5 am. Classes start at 7:25 am and end at 2:35 pm. Then comes a 3 o’clock practice where Milton takes a more hands-on approach than many other coaches.

“My theory is, for me to coach well, I have to talk to each of my swimmers,” Milton said. “It’s like if you’re working your butt off and your coach doesn’t say anything to you. You go home at night and think ‘why am I doing this,’ so I try to talk to each of my swimmers everyday.”

It's no wonder why his team likes him so much as a coach.

Then comes the commute back to Cudahy where Milton runs a swim club until around 9 pm. Finally, he has dinner, a little family time and then lights out.

That’s one exhausting day, but Milton said he doesn’t do it for his own gratification, but rather for the good of the kids.

“Swimmers are special,” Milton said. “They’re tough little cookies. Sometimes they get flaky like all kids will, but the end product always surprises me. My expectations are always lifted higher after a meet after watching these guys swim.”

All that work has paid off in his time at Muskego, and this year is no different. The Warriors finished the regular season undefeated and won their sixth-straight Southeast Conference regular season title. They recently stood atop the podium for the SEC conference meet on Feb. 5 and will advance to sectionals on Feb. 11 and 12 at Waukesha South.

While Milton said many years stand out when he digs back in the memory bank of his many years of success, this year has brought as unique an experience as any.

Said Milton, “That’s one thing with these kids is when I talk they tell me what I want to hear. ‘Yes sir, no sir, we work hard,’ that kind of stuff. But then these seniors (come and say) ‘no you’re not. Don’t lie to him. Get your butt in gear.’ That cover is really nice.”

That teamwork and leadership is what has led this team to another successful season. There’s no telling if this team will add another banner to the already crowded Salentine Gym, but there is one thing that is sure; coach Milton will be there.