Gardner Howland
Head Coach
Email
Gardner Howland became the head coach of the Blazers in August
of 2010. Coach Howland comes to the Blazers from Conejo Simi
Aquatics in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and prior to that from Pilot
Aquatics Club in Knoxville, Tenn. Coach Howland has a long list of
accomplishments in the swimming community achieved during his 27
years as a coach. These include placing a gold medal winning
swimmer on the 2000 United States Olympic Team, and placing many
swimmers on teams for the Pan American Games, World University
Games, Goodwill Games, and National Junior teams. He is also a
two-time head coach of the United States National Junior Team, and
was an assistant coach for the United States Goodwill Games Team.
"I am very excited to join the Kansas City Blazers, which is one
of the premier swim organizations in the country, and I look
forward to growing and enhancing its great swimming tradition,"
said Howland.
Henry Morrow
Head Site Coach Shawnee Mission North
Email
Coach
Henry Morrow was award the "Outstanding Leadership in Coaching"
award by COMVAC and JCPRD. He was nominated by one of his
swimmer’s parents. Here is the letter below that explain why
Henry is so great:
"My son
has only been on the Kansas City Blazers Gold Team for a few
months, but the improvement I have seen in him mentally and
physically have been incredible. Coach Henry made my son feel
welcome and a part of the team from the first day he came to try
out. He encouraged the kids who were already a part of the team by
his actions and personal leadership to welcome my son into the
group. Coach Henry intentionally creates an atmosphere in which
growth of the individual and growth of the team as a whole occurs
on many different levels simultaneously. This growth is
accomplished by the very positive manner in which he interacts and
instructs each swimmer under his care. You can tell by the natural
actions and reactions of his swimmers that they love being around
Coach Henry. He has earned the respect and loyalty of his swimmers
through his ability to inspire them to achieve more than they
thought possible. Interaction with the parents has been very
positive as well. He is always ready to discuss how we can help our
kids improve their swimming ability, including action items that
can be accomplished outside of their time at the pool."
Thank you Henry, for your outstanding leadership in coaching, and
congratulations on this award!!
Henry Morrow began his tenure as the North Head Site Coach in
September 2004. In addition to his energy and enthusiasm for
swimming, Henry will bring his 24 years of experience with
SwimAtlanta in Atlanta, Georgia and five years of experience
coaching in North Carolina.
In his career at SwimAtlanta, Henry helped develop four satellite
locations including the current Roswell and Sugarloaf sites and has
coached dozens of national Top 16 Age Group swimmers many of whom
have gone on to be National Finalists as Senior Swimmers. In 1983,
he was Age Group Chairman for Georgia swimming and helped develop a
regional swim meet in the southeast that has evolved into an Age
Group Sectional meet.
Henry holds two degrees, a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a
Masters in Physical Education - Physiology of Exercise, both from
East Carolina University.
Marjorie Sherard
Head Site Coach Blue Valley North
Email
Marjorie has been affiliated with the Blazers
since 1979 when she began swimming for the team. She has
continued her involvement with the team as a deck coach in the
1990s and again for the last 3 years at the Shawnee Mission North
site with Henry Morrow. Her children also swam for the
Blazers, so Marjorie has a unique perspective on the Blazers since
she has worn many hats as a
Blazer.
While her husband served in the United States
Marine Corps, Marjorie started coaching professionally in the San
Diego, California area where she spent 5 years with the Escondido
Swim Club. She has also coached several summer swim programs
in the Kansas City area, including the last 8 years at Homestead
Country Club. She has been a teacher for the last 8 years at
Notre Dame de Sion (lower school.) She has a degree in Early
Childhood Education from the University of Kansas. Coaching
with the Blazers full time now is an opportunity for her to give
back to a team that has meant so much to her.
Marjorie prides herself on having high
standards for the swimmers, putting an emphasis on the team, and
treating people with dignity and respect. She is thrilled to
be working with the swimmers and their
families!
Marjorie and her husband Jackson have been
married for 20 years and have 2 children, Spencer and
Dana.
Cassidy J Roberts
Head Site Coach Missouri
Email
Coach CJ Roberts joined the Blazers in April 2011 from Lincoln
Nebraska where she was the head coach of Nebraska Aquatics. During
her 5 years of coaching experience with Nebraska Aquatics, she
attended the University of Nebraska where she competed and lettered
under Head Coach Pablo Morales. CJ's many accomplishments at the
University of Nebraska include All Conference Academic Team, High
Honors as a Student Athlete, Deans List, and her favorite, the
Husker Hero Award, awarded to the student athlete that gives the
most back to their community.
Coach CJ has worked with Masters National level swimmers,
College Scholar athletes for Division 1 and Division 2, Junior
National and Sectional qualifying swimmers. Her extensive
experiences with her former Coach's and Colleges have given her the
experience and confidence to become the coach she has always wanted
to be. Her passion and love for kids growth in not only the sport
but in life shines through in her disciplined, but light and fun
coaching style. She has great plans for the growth of the Missouri
team and is ecstatic to be working with the families and swimmers
of the Kansas City Blazers.
She is thrilled to live in Kansas City with her Husband, Casey
Roberts and her crazy dog Teagan. Please feel free to contact
Coach CJ with any questions about the Missouri site located in
Lee's Summit.
