Mason Parrish

Buena High School Swimming Coach

Born April 24, 1930 in Taft, California

Attended Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield, California graduating in 1948

Competed in track, running the 100, 220 and 440 also in football, playing halfback

Ventura Junior College AA Degree in 1952. Played fullback in football and ran 100, 220 and 440 in track. was elected captain of the track team in sophomore year

University of California Santa Barbara B.A. Degree 1957

Oregon State University M.A. Degree 1962

COACHING CAREER

Started coaching as assistant swimming coach to Walt Zorovich at Ventura High School. Also assisted on the Junior Football team for one year. was head junior football coach for one year

BUENA HIGH SCHOOL

Head sophomore football coach for four years

First head Swimming Coach starting with only four experienced swimmers developed a program that was one of the best in the state

Won ten Channel League Championships

Team was undefeated in dual meets for four consecutive years

C.I.F. Southern Section Champions in 1969 setting a point total that stood for six years

Teams consistently finished in top 10 of C.I.F.

Swimming teams won 143 lost 32 for 81% success ratio

Founded the Buena Swim Club in 1963. The Buena Swim Club rose to a position of prominence, locally, regionally and nationally

Swim Club members set several national age group records

Swimmers consistently placed in the top 10 nationally in their respective age groups

Numerous Junior Olympic Champions as well as top placers in the National Junior Olympics

Had Swimmers qualify for and compete in the Olympic trials in 1968-1972

Several swimmers qualified for and placed in the Senior A. A. U. Nationals with Sally Tuttle and Neal Smith placing in the top six.

Sally Tuttle and Jim McConica competed in the world University Games both winning Gold Medals. Jim McConica also competed in the Pan Am Games winning two Gold and one Silver medals

Swimmers from Buena’s program went on to place in the NCAA meets for their respective colleges or universities with Sally Tuttle, Jim McConica and Jeff Parrish winning championships

Instrumental in starting water polo in Ventura and getting it accepted as a channel league sport

Water polo teams won 77, lost 28, for a success ratio of 73%

Developed 58 High School All Americans in swimming and 5 High School All Americans in water polo

Member of the U.S. Olympic Water Polo Committee from 1968 to 1972

Lecturer at numerous swim coaching clinics

Instructional chairman for Southern California Water Polo Coaches and Officials association for three years

With three other coaches, helped to establish a comprehensive standardization of swimming and water polo rules for the Southern California Officials Association

Original member of the Ventura County Teen Challenge board, a Christian Drug prevention and rehabilitation program

AWARDS

Recipient of Southern California Teen Challenge Spirit of Life Award in 1978

Recipient of the first University of California at Santa Barbara Aquatic Alumnus Award 1968

Coach of the Year – Buena High School 1969

In honor of his coaching efforts and accomplishments the Buena High School Pool was named in his honor in 1977