Mentor Sonia, who claimed and instructed the Glendale Swim School from 1961 through 1966, then, at that point, moved to the Philadelphia Aquatic Club, was enlisted on Sept. 7, 2012, into the American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He started his training vocation in the US Army in 1954 and finished up his instructing profession in the Vero Beach region at St. Edwards school, Indian River College Masters, and Christi’s Family Fitness.
Mentor Sonia educated north of 10,000 youngsters to swim during his long term profession. In 1953, as a swimmer, he swam a 23.1 – 50 meter free-form. Two philosophical pearls from Coach Sonia – On serious way of thinking – “Coordination and knowing how to take on a steady speed are the two significant prerequisites for turning into a world record holder!”, and on the Secret to Success; “Be at the ideal locations at the perfect opportunity. All that I did, I didn’t realize it was coming. As far as training, be reasonable and genuine… everybody’s equivalent in a group.”
His group was third in the 1962 open air nationals, and had various Olympic colleagues for the USA. Among the popular names in swimming who either swam for, or instructed with Coach Sonia are Ed Spencer, Tom Miliam, Frank Bates, Ken Krueger, Tim Barnes, Roy Saari, and Billy Craig and Rich McGeagh, Jack Bauerle, present mentor at University of Georgia, and Coach Steve Fenning.
As of late, Coach Sonia has been dynamic in Masters Swimming and has helped set various Masters World Relay Records.
Mentor Sonia lives in Vero Beach, Florida and is dealing with recuperating his wellbeing in a nearby medical services place.