James “Jimmie” Ruff

1940 – 2024

As shared by his wife, Doris Ruff

 

 

In nature, the shark is described as bold, resilient, aggressive, powerful, ferocious, beautiful, intelligent, majestic and it displays social interactions. Its most acute sense is used to detect prey from a distance and its electroreceptors or special sensory organs can detect the weak. To his competitors, Jimmie Ruff, probably often seemed to be more shark than Drew Park Shark. One of the earliest members of the swim team, Jimmie Ruff was also one of the most revered, diligent, goal oriented, and successful swimmers the team ever had. It was not unusual for Thomas Martin to ask if he was ever going to get out of the water to even eat. Doris noted that Jimmie swam with the smoothest strokes, displacing minimal water with each movement, gliding through the water. She said he was simply mesmerizing, but in the words of this writer, I think, as a 10-year old girl, she was equally mesmerized by the handsome 17-year old young man occupying the lifeguard chair at Drew Park pool.

 

Born in Columbia in 1940, Jimmie Ruff (pronounced roof) grew up just blocks from the Drew Park pool on Heidt Street, just past Benedict College. Jimmie’s father was a pharmacist and owned a pharmacy. His mother was an elementary teacher. Jimmie began swimming around the age of ten. With the pool opening in May, 1950, Jimmie became one of the earliest and youngest boys to swim at Drew Park. Jimmie’s mother walked him the several blocks to the pool each day. On some days, his mother asked an older kid named Gus Owen to walk Jimmie to the pool. Jimmie became a Shark while still in elementary school. Gus became a mentor of sorts to Jimmie, always encouraging him to “go out and beat everyone”. It was advice that Jimmie took to heart. Speaking of heart, Jimmie’s was full of encouragement to his fellow teammates. He was always supporting, encouraging, challenging his fellow Sharks in the most positive manner, and his positive nature made folks do what he asked of them. Jimmie was that rare individual who was awesomely skilled and successful, while never losing sight of his responsibility to his fellow Sharks, as a good team member should be. Though he owned several records in the various age categories of swimming at Drew, he never missed the opportunity to offer encouragement, in his quiet and respectful manner. Jimmie’s successes as a Drew Park Shark were widely known and to this day, Doris has the “hardware”, in the form of trophies, ribbons, and photographs she proudly shares and displays on his behalf.  It is thought that Jimmie became a lifeguard at 15 which was the minimum age to be one at that time in 1954, and in only five years from the start of his swimming experience. Prior to that he worked in the “basket” room. Jimmie was a distance swimmer by nature. You’ve already read how peers such as Ellis Pearson learned from Jimmie to become successful distance swimmer themselves. I have heard former Sharks say that Jimmie was one of the faster swimmers they have ever seen. Though most were born long after him, they were able to witness him compete. Jimmie swam in just about every age division and just about every swimming event, if not all of them. He was a tremendous free style swimmer and it was normal for him to finish in first place in the 220, 440 and 880-yards races. Jimmie was also an outstanding backstroke and breaststroke swimmer. The same could also be said about all four strokes in the 100-meter events. Lindy stated during our conversation that everyone looked up to Jimmie, not only for his speed and success in swimming, but for the support, kindness, generosity and the leadership he provided to his fellow Sharks.

 

Jimmie developed a hobby in photography while in high school and had a dark room in his house. He loved taking photos and today, many of the photos seen displayed at the Drew Center and other locations were taken and developed by Jimmie. Jimmie graduated from C.A. Johnson High School in 1957 and attended Benedict College where he graduated with a degree in education in 1961. Jimmie was not permitted to become a Certified Water Safety Instructor in South Carolina as it was illegal for Blacks to be certified in the State. Jimmie went to North Carolina where he was certified. He taught middle school science at Lakeview High School. He went on to teach at Busby Middle School where he also served as Assistant Principal and later served as Assistant Principal at Northside Middle School. In 1996, Jimmie retired from Fulmer Middle School. An interesting note about Jimmie, was that he taught swimming and diving classes at Drew pool for both Allen University and Benedict College students prior to each institution having a campus pool. By this period, Jimmie had gotten married to Doris and she was an adult student in one of Jimmie’s swim classes. I don’t recall her sharing the grade she received in that particular college class. Following high school, Doris had become a secretary at the elementary school where Jimmie’s mom was employed and where she was introduced to him formally. Following four years of dating they were married in 1971. The couple have two children, James Jr. and April. James was born in 1978 and April was born in 1980. They both swam for the Sharks, but both had been swimming since birth. Ellis Pearson tells that he was actually April’s swim teacher, as Jimmie felt she would probably listen and follow his directions better than if he had tried to teach her to swim. Doris relates how she enrolled in the “Mommie and Me” program with April when she was like two months old, and that one day with JR in his arms, Jimmie jumped off the high dive with him. I don’t believe a hive of angry hornets was a match for the emotions displayed by Doris when she learned of what Jimmie had done. Both JR and April became lifeguards at Drew pool. April went on to attend Francis Marion University where she managed the pool on campus. JR attended Coastal Carolina University for a period of time, and worked as the Assistant Manager of the Greenview Park Pool.

 

Jimmie’s relationship with the Drew Pool was long and memorable. He served as the Assistant Coach and Pool Manager to Thomas Martin and served on the City of Columbia search committee charged with the development plans for the Drew Wellness Center. Jimmie truly dedicated his life to swimming and guiding youth to successful lives. Jimmie always shared he believed the pool represented “Hope” and that is was a ‘safe haven” for young people. He was truly loved by all and he in turn, had a deep connection to peers such as Stanley McIntosh. Jimmie often stated that Stanley was the man that “Kept the Dream Alive” and that Stanley got the message to “stick with it”. It was clear that Jimmie was one that passed on what he had learned to others for the benefit of future generations. Jimmie and Doris had a pool at their home which Jimmie utilized until his Parkinson’s Disease prevented him from coordinating movement with his legs. He passed away in 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Cochran

 

 

Throughout my conversation with Chris Cochran, the word genuine was etched in my mind. As Chris spoke and shared his experiences about being a Drew Park Shark, there was never any doubt he was being honest, sincere and authentic. I could sense the emotions he has carried with him his entire adult life regarding the opportunities that the Drew Park pool afforded him.

 

Although others have shared their feelings about the magnitude and opulence of Drew Park with its vast array of athletic facilities, topped off by the outstanding pool, Chris’ memories about the sprinkler pool as well as the pool design and pool specifics, left no doubt that he was in awe of Drew Park. His detail as to the location of the ropes which were used to delineate pool depths clearly made an indelible mark on his memory and it was real, as though they were still in existence today.

 

His appreciation, his admiration, his respect and his desire to be like the older swimmers he watched, burned like a flame in him that could not be extinguished.  It was clear, Chris Cochran would work as hard as necessary to not let down those individuals who meant so much to him and that he so greatly admired. He was determined to be their equal, and for them to be proud that he too, was deserving of being a Shark. This is why Chris mastered the butterfly. For most swimmers, the butterfly was “like punishment” and most struggled to do it properly. To Chris, it was a stoke of beauty when done well. It was a stroke that others admired because it not only required stamina and strong swimming skills, but it just “looked good” when swimming it. It was a stroke Chris practiced, though it wasn’t even his favorite stroke. Given the opportunity, Chris would swim the 50 freestyle anytime.

 

Born in Columbia in 1960, Chris grew up in Highland Park. Both of his parents were teachers and taught in several different schools. Chris’ father was in addition a football coach. Chris played football throughout high school as well as being a swimmer in the summer. He began swimming around the age of 10/11. Going to the pool each day required transportation, and as their parents’ friends were the Harkness family, most days Chris rode with the Harkness family to Drew Park. Chris’ memories of playing in the sprinkler pool with its 25-foot diameter, 4-inch rise and the tall pole in the middle with the sprinklers were vivid. His description of the Drew Park pool itself, allows everyone to appreciate it more when one thinks that potentially, the pool at Trenholm Park could fit width wise inside the Drew pool. From side to side, the Drew Park pool was twenty-five yards/meters. Length wise, it was fifty meters/fifty-five yards. He took swim lessons from Stanley McIntosh, learning to swim the pool width wise at pretty much the same depth. The pool had three roped areas signaling its depth. The first section was 3-4 feet, the second 4-6 feet deep, and the third section 6-12 feet deep. The third section was for the pool’s diving area.

 

Chris became a Shark as a 6th grader. At 13/14 he was swimming intermediate boys. Chris said that “Steve” was his first coach and made him swim everything at practice in order to strengthen his stroke skills, and that he focused as well on speed and endurance. Chris attributes Steve for pushing and helping him become the swimmer he was. Chris became a lifeguard and was Water Safety Certified. This is a program sponsored by the Red Cross. Not all Drew Park Sharks were lifeguards, nor were all lifeguards Water Safety Certified. Early on in his swimming, Chris tried to model himself like the older swimmers in order to swim in the deep water. He shared how some of the lifeguards were amazing divers and “he wanted to be like them”. He said the lifeguards, like Stanley, offered challenge and encouragement at the same time. At times, there was “playful hazing” by the guards. Chris loved the water and he practiced diligently all summer. Throughout our conversation he frequently shared his appreciation for Steve who pushed him hard. His first event to swim was the 200x4 and he was victorious. Chris says Steve reminds him to this day, as if he would ever forget. Steve was instrumental in making sure the pool was maintained properly and that the pool was getting its deserved recognition. It was a priority for him. Steve would not accept mediocrity. Like some of the other members of the Sharks, Chris drove a school bus during high school. As a junior, he drove a middle school and high school route, but his senior year he drove a handicapped student bus, which paid even more. As much as Chris enjoyed swimming, he enjoyed playing football. After high school Chris attended Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina. He had the opportunity to attend South Carolina State University, but the swim coach was adamant that he could not swim and play football. Chris chose Johnson C. Smith. He swam there for three years on a partial scholarship. He majored in Urban Studies/Community Development.

 

Charlie Cox, the swim coach at Johnson C. Smith University annually sponsored the J.C Smith Invitational. It was a team relays event. Coach Cox thought it was a creative way to promote the sport of swimming. A number of small schools participated such as the University of North Carolina – Greensboro, Albany State University, Morehouse College, Miles College, and South Carolina State University. Like most meets, there were heats and semi-finals, and the final three top swimmers in each event were recognized as members the “Black Collegiate All Americans”, a name designated from the event. Chris was recognized due to winning the 200-meter butterfly.

 

After college, Chris was hired by the Columbia Housing Authority. Lindy Jeffcoat’s mom was his supervisor. Chris also spent 5-6 years with the Navy Reserves and he has worked for the past twenty plus years with the Lutheran Family Services, where he is currently employed.  Chris utilizes many of the skills he learned from being a lifeguard and from his time as a school bus driver. He teaches defensive driving and CPR classes for the Lutheran Family Services. He specializes as well in quality management and training of new employees and team members. He continues to see himself a “lifeguard” for if a new team member needs help, you jump into action as if you were in the lifeguard chair. “You jump in the water to get them out, not asking questions until after they are safe”. 

 

While at the Navy Reserves “bootcamp” the recruits were asked if anyone could swim? Chris volunteered that he had been a member of the Drew Park Sharks and a WSC lifeguard. He was asked to “rescue” one of the members of the reserves who thought he might make it difficult and prove that Chris was not the swimmer he had indicated. The pretending drowning victim rolled like an alligator and behaved in a panicking manner, which is exactly what Chris had been taught to anticipate when rescuing someone. Chris maintained his composure, dug his nails into the armpit of the “drowning victim” to quell his behavior, and delivered him to the surface. Everyone was in awe of Chris for having accomplished what he (Chris) knew he was trained to do. The general comments from the other reservists were “We’ve never seen a Black guy swim like that”. 

 

 

 

 

Gary Bell

 

Like most of the Sharks before him, Gary Bell’s venture into swimming came as a result of his mother wanting him to learn to swim and so she took him to Drew pool each day for swim lessons. The involvement of parents has been a recurring theme of these individual stories, so we begin by paying homage to them for being so instrumental in their success. Gary was about 7 or 8 when he first began to swim. Born in Columbia in 1946, Gary lived in Allen Benedict Court or as he refers to it, the projects. In some locales, the term projects might be interpreted as a negative living environment, but for Gary it was a term of endearment. In his mind, Allen Benedict Court was the place to be. This was reinforced to this writer by a colleague, Eartha Jones, who indicated her grandmother had once lived in Allen Benedict Court. In the conversation, Eartha reinforced how appealing the community was, with its well-maintained homes and positive community. You will recall that Ellis Pearson mowed lawns for Saxon Homes residents to earn money to pay his pool fee, as the two communities were very near. Gary learned to swim from several of the lifeguards. As a member of the midget boys, Gary swam freestyle. It was a stroke he enjoyed swimming. He swam the 55 yard and 110 freestyle. Maybe more so than anyone this writer has met, for Gary, swimming became a real lifetime passion which you will read about later. Gary liked competing at swim meets and shared that at one particular meet in Augusta, the relay team was behind as the second leg of the relay team touched the wall. He caught up during the third leg of the relay, and passed his opponents so that he touched the wall leading. He turned over the final leg to Talmadge Dixon who brought home the victory in his typical outstanding manner. Gary shared that he and Robert Bradley, the future swim coach at South Carolina State University, were swim mates on the Sharks’ team. They swam together as well in the Palmetto Games. Gary was a middle-distance swimmer but he always wished to challenge Robert, known as Pluto, in the shorter distances. After getting beaten soundly by Pluto in a meet held at Johnson C. Smith University, Gary decided to remain a middle-distance swimmer. Gary became a lifeguard at Drew pool after passing his required certification. Prior to becoming a lifeguard and actually getting to sit in the chair, Gary was a junior lifeguard. Gary wasn’t totally sure that the title “junior lifeguard” was an actual position, but each morning he was there when the pool opened selling/collecting tickets, cleaning, making sure the showers had soap, the bathrooms had tissue, and closing at night. Gary noted his god-parents, the Fair family ran the snack bar at Drew Park.

 

Like several other members of the swim team, Gary played football in high school at C.A. Johnson High School and he found Mr. Martin willing to support this endeavor. Talking about Mr. Martin, Gary said that Mr. Martin was a really good man. He liked for the lifeguards to send him a note of appreciation each summer and to specify their intentions for the next summer. As noted previously, a veteran lifeguard was re-hired to his position each summer for as long as he wanted it. Gary worked as a lifeguard every summer while he was in high school. He worked the summers following high school if his schedule permitted. Upon graduation, Gary attended South Carolina State University and was a member of the freshman swim team. While at South Carolina State University, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. At South Carolina State University freshmen and sophomores were required to take ROTC classes. Gary’s junior year he enrolled in Advanced ROTC and upon graduation the next year, Gary was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. Gary served in the Army for three and a half years and he completed one tour of duty in Vietnam. He returned to the States and was assigned to several military bases before ending his army career at Fort Jackson.

 

Upon his return to Columbia, Gary went to work at Benedict College as the Assistant Director for Business Affairs. He had an undergraduate degree in mathematics with a minor in accounting. At Benedict College his supervisor was previously his accounting professor. Gary decided he wanted to be an accountant and that he needed to have a Master’s Degree in Accounting. He enrolled at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio where he earned his Master’s Degree in 18 months. He passed the CPA exam and became an employee of one of the Big 8 Accounting Firms, Arthur Andersen & Co. He worked in Charlotte, Columbia and Atlanta before deciding to return to Columbia, where he was employed as Deputy Director at the South Carolina Department of Social Services, a position he retained for nearly 14 years.

 

Early in this writer’s meeting with Gary, he emphasized he “loved immensely” his time at the pool and swimming. He never lost that feeling. Upon his return to Columbia, Gary become a registered Master’s Class swimmer. He competed in Masters swim meets across the Carolinas, and usually swam ten events during the two days of competition. Gary swam all the strokes at the 50 and 100-meter distances and he swam the 100 individual and 200 individual medleys. The medley consists of the swimmer doing all four strokes (in order), the butterfly, the backstroke, the breaststroke and the freestyle. Gary gave up swimming Master’s in 2020, around the time of Covid. As noted, near the beginning of this article, swimming has many health benefits and Gary, more than any other former Shark, felt that swimming was an excellent activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle as he grew older. Again, research has proven this as fact. Gary set a personal goal to swim 300 miles in one year. Clearly, that’s about a mile a day for almost an entire year. The next year, Gary increased his goal to swim 400 miles in a year. Not willing to stop there, his next year’s goal was 500 miles for the year, and finally, his fourth year’s goal was to swim 600 miles. Gary accomplished every one of these personal goals he had set for himself. He stated he actually completed the 600 miles goal on December 3 of the fourth year. For the remainder of that month, Gary swam 13 miles. He decided though, that as he was getting older, swimming greater distances was probably something most people did not need to remain healthy. Gary currently swims at Drew pool three days a week for a mile and a half. He ran as a Master’s track performer but following multiple knee surgeries, he quit running. Another reason to being a swimmer, is the physiological benefits that exist.

 

Gary shared briefly some thoughts on being a member of an all-Black swim team. He wished the sharks could have competed against the team at Maxey Gregg. He felt confident they could have won. Those feelings were duplicated as he felt the same about his high school football team. He was proud of his high school citing he had four choices for foreign languages including Latin, French, German and Spanish. Gary chose German in high school. He felt confident that few other schools anywhere near, offered so many choices. Integration was not an end-all to Gary. He wanted new school books, not used hand-me-downs from the white schools when they got new ones. As for Plessy, Gary just wanted “equal”.

 

He attended the funeral of a friend a year ago. Following the service, he was introduced by a friend to a man who had recently returned to Columbia after living in California for many years. Upon hearing his name, the man said, “Gary Bell, you were a lifeguard at the Drew Park pool and you taught me to swim”. It made Gary proud and he commented that his experiences at Drew pool had impacted lives beyond his imagination. Through the phone, this writer could sense his smile.