Chris Nano is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cicero Prep for AZPreps365.com

What started out as a passion, turned into a career for Cicero Prep swim coach Steve Barber.

Barber is in his 42nd year as a coach. As a 12-year-old, he loved swimming and viewed it more as a passion or hobby, but once he started getting good at swim camp, parents asked if he could teach their kids.

As a kid, Barber played basketball and football. As a coach, he’s also been a part of some football teams. However, Barber has made it clear that swimming always will be his main love.

The Cicero Prep swim team consisted of only five swimmers this season and because of this, Barber said it was a real struggle competing. 

However, Barber and his team found a way to make it work. The key for Barber as a coach has always been about hard work.

“The biggest thing is being patient and if the 21st try doesn’t work then you try again on the 22nd try,” Barber said. “Some athletes take longer to develop, you never want to blame them.”

Barber said the toughest part about coaching is keeping everybody motivated, but he hasn't had problems at Cicero Prep because all of his swimmers have had hard-working attitudes.

“If I could describe him using one word it would be 'dedicated' because he puts in a lot of effort into really being there for us and really tries to help in any way that he can,” freshman Marco Martin said. “He’s always there for me and everyone on the team. He tries really hard to have us at our best.”

Barber has been an asset at every program he’s led. In the 1990s, he took over a Chaparral program that struggled but Barber turned it into one of the best in the country. A similar situation occurred at North Canyon, where Barber built the program from the ground up and got the squad ranked nationally.

“He’s helped me so much with things like perfecting my stroke,'' swimmer Zoe Walsh said. "The pool has become my happy and safe place because of him.  He’s so encouraging and always shows you what you can do to improve. All of his knowledge has really benefited me."

Building programs from the ground up is Steve Barber’s calling card and he will continue to help Cicero Prep work its way to the top.