Name: Mike Bitzenhofer
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of ‘87
Events: 200 Fly and Fly on the Medley Relay
Degree: Commercial Recreation
Profession: Registered Nurse
Current residence: Wake Forest, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
I have too many happy memories to count. Of course, I have many fond memories of Coach Allen. I do have one question, how could such an unbelievably nice human being inflict such pain on us poor swimmers day after day in the pool and smile the whole time he was doing it? Coach loved being Coach, he loved UNCW, and he genuinely loved us, we could feel it.
Strangely, I have no recollection of those painful workouts. I do remember all the fun that we had together as a team. A meal in the cafeteria after practice usually turned into a party. Somehow after swimming for two and a half we still had enough energy to be a little on the loud side.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
UNCW Swimming gave me the greatest gift possible, lifelong friends. Swimming also gave me a strong work ethic and the knowledge that all is possible if you put in the effort.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
After graduating from UNCW I really didn’t have life figured out yet. After a couple of unsatisfying work experiences I went back to school to pursue a Nursing degree. I learned how to be a good student while at UNCW. That, combined with the mental toughness from swimming, enabled me to work gruelling back to back 16 hours shifts as a Nursing assistant while I put myself through Nursing school. I have now been a Pediatric Nurse for 25 years.
For the last 19 years I have had the toughest job of my life……that of a parent!
In 2012 I fell in love with swimming all over again. The pool is a peaceful place where you can let your mind wander and work on life’s problems. As it turns out, competing again is very exhilarating. Swimming fast feels good…..until you are not swimming fast anymore, then it just kinda hurts.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
The Patio comes to mind first, although I think that we had the most fun in our own dorm, Hewlett Hall.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
More than any cheer I remember the pre meet prayer the most. At home meets we would gather in the equipment room and form a circle around Coach and put one hand in the middle while coach said the prayer. I had a superstition at the time that if I was touching Coach’s hand during the prayer I would have a good meet, like he would impart some kind of superpower on me. It worked enough times that I always made sure I was close to Coach when the praying started. After the prayer we would burst out of the equipment room with a roar of enthusiasm.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
There are some people that have life figured out at an early age, they know exactly what they want to do. If you are not one of those people it is OK, there is no big rush to get anywhere by a certain time. As you do progress through life, juggling a career and/or raising a family, remember to take time to take care of yourself. Nobody else can do it for you.
If you are a current swimmer and you are contemplating shaving your head for conference championships, don’t do it (especially if you are a girl). The truth is that we just don’t know how much time we have with our hair. You should cherish this time, splurge on some decent shampoo and conditioner. Someday you may wake up to find that it is gone and it will be too late (sniff sniff).