Day after day of writing numbers and the occasional word on a chalkboard doesn’t bore him. Day after day of listening to arms slap the water and feet stir up waves doesn’t get old.

Boys and girls Swim and Dive head coach, Brian Luke, has done this for 40 years. In that time, he has coached both teams to numerous successes and accomplishments. The teams have won four state titles, 36 conference titles and 21 section titles. Luke was inducted to the Minnesota State Swimming & Diving Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012.

The past 40 years as coach has not prompted him to retire.

“I’ll keep doing it until it’s not fun anymore or they run me out of town. So far, it’s still fun and they haven’t run me out of town,” said Brian Luke.

 The girls team has more than 100 consecutive dual meet wins under Luke’s supervision, however, the state record for most consecutive dual meet wins is 124, held by Luke’s dad, Elmer.

“I still enjoy seeing the athletes being successful and enjoy the moment,” he explained.

Diving coach Carrie Madline credits her continued commitment to the swim team through high school to Luke. She had considered quitting, but did not. Both her daughters went through the program under Luke.

She said, “I kept swimming because of him. He gave me a pep talk in ninth grade asking me what I was doing and what I wanted.”

Madline, who graduated from SAHS in 1979, came back to the team in 1983 and was an assistant swimming coach. In 1991, she became the diving coach.

“I respected him as an athlete and I respect him as a coach now. I respect him because he respects the athletes; it’s all about the girls, not himself,” Madline said. “He coaches the same way now as back then.”

For 14 weeks the teams, in their designated season, spend more than 15 hours per week in the pool.

Tess Radecke, assistant coach of nine years, said, “It’s efficient and has been very successful over the years. It’s rewarding to see people improve and it’s fun. I wouldn’t still be here without the fun.”

Every November and March the Minnesota State High School League hosts the state meet for girls and boys, respectively. Held at the University of Minnesota Natatorium, the meet plays host to the fastest swimmers around.

“One of my most memorable moments was the second state meet the girls won,” explained Radecke. “It was 2006 and my first year coaching. Watching how he interacts with the girls at a state meet was completely new.”

Many things have changed since Brian Luke began coaching 40 years ago, but one thing remains the same: it is still fun.