Courtney Kuehl was one of Coach Scott Hinman’s top swimmers at Irvine.
Known by her maiden name, Courtney Cashion, she won multiple CIF championships, set O.C. records and became a Register swimmer of the year. She now lives in Germany with her husband.
Kuehl, pictured left behind Hinman’s right shoulder, has written the following tribute to her ex-coach, who died Wednesday.
Also pictured, from left: Jane Hwang, Tanya Nielsen, Diana MacManus, Sara Natalizio, Thy Doan, Lisa Sciarani and Flora Kong.
COACH SCOTT HINMAN TRIBUTE
These days, when someone of great importance dies, you start seeing the outpour of emotions on Facebook from people who were greatly touched by their life.
I already knew that when I heard the news early this morning that this would be the case with the sudden passing of Scott Hinman. The RIPs, the posts about the inspiration that we each felt by having had the chance to be coached by this man, and the shock being felt is real. His favorite thing to say when he walked on the pool deck, “It’s a GREAT day to be a Vaquero,” comes straight to mind, 15 years later a mantra many of us still use.
I understand the need for people to express this loss by posting on social media. It’s what we do now. However, I also know that because Hinman touched my life in such a special way, I could not make a simple post. Not enough words, mentions about being a great coach and friend can do justice for this renegade.
Today is a sad day to be a Vaquero because we have to say goodbye to Hinman, but I refuse to be sad. Despite the few bouts of tears, I keep having this overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the man. The fact that all of us young ladies had the opportunity to cross paths with such a loving family man and truly great person is enough. He survived polio as a child, and had this class act sense of humor with the way he lived his life, it made us all believe he could fly. Those who knew the man know that he lived his life to the fullest. Hinman always did what he said we would do, he apologized to no one, and he kept promises.
Personally, Scott Hinman was of great influence to the adult person I have become, and each young lady that he coached in the last 35 years would likely tell you the same. I am nowhere close to his only success story. My swimming life was the 100 percent chance of a full college scholarship starting at about age 12. I lived with this tremendous pressure that it was all set in stone. I had a lot of problems with school, friends, and I had this feeling of lack of control. I was a high risk for not even graduating. Hinman was the only one who never gave up on me, knowing that I just needed more direction.
So you might guess why even on this day I cannot feel a complete sorrow. Hinman impacted our lives in countless lasting ways when he gave us his time. We are all better for knowing him as our coach, mentor and all around life advisor.
I remember countless hours sitting in his office, him advising me on how to live outside of “the grey,” as he called it. Choosing to pick your life, and give up on worrying about the rest. He taught me to accept your path and do the best you can to choose from right and wrong. And while even at the time I didn’t know it, he was giving me the courage I needed to face the road ahead. He did this all the way up to graduation day, he did this with my sister Andrea in water polo before I ever raced for him, and he did this with younger sister Brooke who swam in our wake years after I left Irvine High. There are so many other sisters and friends who over the years have shared these types of stories about our favorite coach Hinman.
This image and memory of Scott Hinman will never fade in my mind – and undoubtedly in the hearts of the Southern California community for a long time. If you have been counting, I have only used the word, “swimming” a handful of times. Of all the things Scott Hinman did for the two sports of Irvine Girls Water Polo and Swimming – to unite, empower and encourage almost four decades of ladies, he was clearly more than that. Scott Hinman was a friend who gave you his time.
For this, It’s still a great day to be a Vaquero.
-Courtney “Cashion” Kuehl
