BHHS Girls Swim Coach, "Coach Z," Recognized for Immense Contributions to Michigan Swimming Community

Bloomfield Hills High School Girls Swimming Coach David Zulkiewski has been recognized with the Matt Mann Award by the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA) for decades of exemplary contributions. With this award, “Coach Z” joins the ranks of the best swim coaches in the State of Michigan. 
 
“I am humbled to see my name on a list with so many great coaches,” said Zulkiewski. “Most of the coaches who have won the Matt Mann Award have won state championships and coached longer than I have, so it means the world to me that the MISCA membership recognizes my hard work and dedication to the sport.”
 
BHS Director of Athletics Mike Cowdrey was not surprised by the accolade. “Coach Z is a tremendous asset to Bloomfield Hills Schools. He is a phenomenal leader, extremely helpful and organized in every regard, and is so willing to help every middle school coach we have and the high school boys coach as well. Plus, he has excellent communication skills and great rapport with the athletes and their families. For Coach Z, it’s about the athletes, not just the wins and losses. Obviously every coach wants to do well, but he makes sure the girls have a great experience.”
 
Zulkiewski has always balanced the experience with the wins, having won many league titles and coached several All-American and state-level swimmers. “High school sports are more than just wins and losses,” said Zulkiewski. “Embracing the full high school experience is a critical piece for our coaches and athletes, and I have always worked on helping to enhance that. I had the pleasure of swimming for coaches who always gave back to the sport and community. They set a great example and showed me how beneficial it was to volunteer and continue to build the swim and dive experience.”
 
Currently in the middle of the Black Hawk girls season with alternating double practice days that start at 5:30am and end at 5:30pm, plus teaching design and technology courses at Bloomfield Hills High School, “Coach Z” stays plenty busy. Along with serving MISCA as the web developer, social media communications, and top times coordinator, there also is the regular swimming podcast that Zulkiewski works on for the State Champs network.
 
“I hope our parents recognize how lucky we are to have a coach like Dave Z,” emphasized Cowdrey. “We have a gem! With his swimming background all the way through college and then coaching for 20-plus years for our district, and being an outstanding leader and educator within our school, we are extremely proud. He just works so hard for the kids. Everything that was said in the award speech, I could echo even louder.”