Betty Cole passes away

Yet another Bahamian sports icon has passed.

Elizabeth Marion “Betty” Cole, the founder of the Dolphin Swim Club, and one of the pioneers in the development of the sport of swimming in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, died on Saturday peacefully at her home at the age of 92.

The Bahamian sports icon, who was the first woman inducted into The Bahamas’ National Sports Hall of Fame and one of a dozen inductees into the Class of 2003, dedicated over 70 years of her life to swimming in The Bahamas. She is regarded as one of the most influential persons in the development of swimming in The Bahamas.

“The Bahamas Aquatics Federation (BAF) extends its sincere condolences to the family of Betty Cole on her passing,” said BAF President Algernon Cargill yesterday. “The contributions she has made to swimming in The Bahamas are immeasurable. What we are excited about, is that she has taught so many people, some of whom are now grandmothers and grandfathers, how to swim and they in turn, taught others how to swim. Betty had only love in her heart for the children; and there are so many of us who owe so much to her not just because of her contribution in teaching us how to swim, but in the valuable life lessons we learned and her love in general for Bahamians. She has touched many in sports and many outside of sports and because of this, her legacy will continue to live on. May her soul rest in peace.”

Cole was a swim instructor and physical education teacher at Xavier’s Lower School and was affiliated with the school for about half of a century, mostly as a volunteer where she made arguably her greatest contribution to the sport of swimming in The Bahamas. Competitively, Cole established the Dolphin Swim Club in 1969, the oldest swim club in The Bahamas, and five years later, she was selected as the swim coach for The Bahamas at the British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand. She was made a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1990, and inducted into The Bahamas’ second sports hall of fame class, in 2003.

As an athlete, in her heyday, Cole competed in swimming and basketball, starting a renaissance in women’s basketball in the country that has expanded into excellence at the highest levels today. In addition to teaching numerous Bahamian youngsters how to swim, she also coached women’s basketball and athletics. The basketball court at Malcolm Park is named in her honor.

“On behalf of the Women in Sports Commission and indeed the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC), it is with a saddened heart that we extend condolences to the Cole family on the passing of Elizabeth “Betty” Cole,” said BOC Secretary General Derron Donaldson yesterday. “Ms. Cole is a true pioneer and legend. She committed her life to the development of youth in The Bahamas. She had an immense love for the sport of swimming, providing competitive swimming to hundreds of Bahamians. Ms. Cole although small in stature, made quite an impression on those whose paths she crossed; she once boasted of playing the center position in basketball, the room was filled with laughter. She was quite a character and a leading sports ambassador. May she rest in peace.”

Cole was a special honoree of the Women in Sports Commission in July 2013.

Leader of the Opposition Phillip “Brave” Davis also sent out a note of condolence on the passing of Cole.

“It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that l pay tribute to and report on the passing of my good friend, mentor, educator and Bahamian sports icon, Betty Cole,” said Davis. “Not only did Betty attain iconic status in the sport of swimming because of her many achievements, she was a role model to many girls and women who dared to shatter many of the glass ceilings that denied women many equal opportunities and preventing them from realizing their full potentials. On a personal level, we worked together and enjoyed a close relationship when she headed a swim club and trained some of my children in the sport of swimming. I always admired her can do and affable spirit, her quiet confidence and her eternal optimism. These personal attributes no doubt drove her personal success and ultimately her greatness as she assisted others in becoming successful through her mentorship, counseling and coaching.”

Cole was an invaluable contributor in her community as well, playing a hand in the development of a number of youngsters in the Sears Road area. The day she passed was historically the day when she would bring the character Santa Claus to her neighborhood for an annual visit.

“Betty’s leadership transcended both sports and education as she played an active and pivotal role in the Girl Guides movement, impacting the lives of a generation of young girls into productive womanhood and national leadership,” said Davis. “Betty lived a full and purpose-driven life – a life marked by service to others. I thank her for her selfless community service and I’m grateful to God for the time she was loaned to us. She will continue to live in the hearts and minds of those of us who knew and loved her and benefitted from her work.

“On behalf of my wife Ann-Marie, Deputy Leader Chester Cooper and Mrs. Cooper, National Chairman Fred Mitchell, the officers and members of the Progressive Liberal Party, l extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Cole family and the communities around Sears Road. May she rest in peace.”

Cole, a true Bahamian pioneer in swimming, will always be remembered as a sportsman who gave tirelessly to the development of the youth in The Bahamas through a variety of means. Her baby, the Dolphin Swim Club, in particular, produced a number of world-class swimmers for The Bahamas, and today, it remains one of the preeminent swim clubs in the country.

Cole will surely be missed. May she rest in peace.

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