Inductees

Jim Fowlie Jr (1997)

Swimming Athlete,Coach

Jim Fowlie Jr. honed his talent and skills with the Prince George Barracudas Swim Club, competing in local and provincial competitions until 1973. From there, his climb to the top of the Canadian swimming ranks was swift. In the 1973 Canada Games, he was the silver medalist in the 400-metre Individual Medley, and bronze medalist in the 200-metre. In 1974, he won the national championship in the 400 IM, setting a new Canadian record. He repeated as national champion the following two years. In international competition, Jim’s achievements were no less impressive; a bronze medal in the 1974 Commonwealth Games; a Commonwealth record in his specialty, the 400 IM in 1975; and two top-five finishes in the 1975 World Championships.

In 1976, he set a world short course record, again in his favoured event, the 400 IM, a record that stood up for four years. Jim retired from competition in 1976, but he’s continued his winning ways as a swimming coach. He returned to the Barracudas as head coach, before embarking on a remarkable coaching journey. From 1978 to 1992, he served as head coach for national-calibre clubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto, and he held numerous national coaching appointments. From there, Jim went “Down Under” to further his career with the Australian Institute of Sport.

In 1996 in Atlanta, his swimmers collected three Olympic medals.

As an athlete, he found the way to victory. As a coach, he has showed the way. For his achievements, and for his dedication to the sport of swimming, Jim Fowlie has definitely earned his place in the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame.