Cyndi Gallagher Retirement Letter

“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming”.

For 38 years I have been at UCLA as a student-athlete, assistant coach, and head coach and have embraced Coach Wooden’s definition of success as the truth. 

Being the head coach at UCLA was my first full time job, and my only full time job.  I can honestly say that coaching at UCLA is the greatest job in the world.  I always wondered why anyone would ever leave UCLA.  It has everything!  Academic and athletic excellence, the sun, the beach, the UCLA vibe and working everyday with your Bruin family.  Dreams come true at UCLA and they sure did for me. 

It has not always been an easy road but I believe challenges force you to look at what you can learn, what you can change and where you can grow. You can’t just take the good and not accept the bad.  Coaching is challenging and rewarding, and you must love it unconditionally.

I want to thank Dr. Judith Holland for having the vision to hire a woman to coach women in the 1980s.  You saw something in me as a 28 year old, and had faith that I was the best person and the best fit to lead the UCLA Swim & Dive team.  Thank you Betsy Stephenson, Ken Weiner and Christina Rivera for being on my team, for your support and for making my job easier. 

Thank you John Wooden for being the biggest influencer in my coaching career.  I always felt it was my responsibility as a UCLA coach to try to live up to what you would do.  Coach Wooden, it was an honor to know you and learn from you. Thank you for teaching me to develop people first. 

Thank you Dan Guerrero and Gavin Crew for the opportunity to coach, and allowing me to retire when the time was right.  Now is my time to give back to my family.  

Thank you Ron (Stix) Ballatore for sharing the deck with me when I first started coaching and for looking out for me.  You taught me leadership, tough love and Bruin Pride. 

Thank you to the coaches and professionals I have been surrounded by at UCLA. You have made me a better person and coach.  Just to name a few - Tom Jahn, Van Austin, Kristin Pearce, Jenny Susser, Brad Burnham, Greg Meehan, Erika Hansen, Dr. Bill Parham, Foster Mobley, Debbie Iwasaki, Brian Campbell, Linda Lassiter, Julie Cleveland, and Adam Wright along with all the amazing UCLA coaches.  You have been my inspiration!   

Thank you Tom Stebbins, who for 20 years has always been the Diving Coach of the Year, and to Naya Higashijima, who holds everyone and everything together, and of course, Coach Dan.  I could not have done it without you.

Thank you to the donors that have given so generously.  The student-athletes would not have the experiences at UCLA if it wasn’t for you.  From funding Spieker Aquatics Center/Dirks Pool, endowing two scholarships, buying new starting blocks and supporting our sports psychologist, massage therapist, graduate assistant, team bonding and personal development opportunities.  Thank you for valuing the student-athlete experience at UCLA.  You inspire us with your joy and passion in giving. 

Lastly, thank you to those whom I have had the privilege to coach.  Thank you for 36 years of love and Bruin Pride.  I have learned more from you than I could ever teach.  No words can express how much you have meant to me.  You all have made a difference in my life and I will miss you all.  You truly have been my family.  

As I walk away from being the Head Coach at UCLA, I am humbled.  It has been a great run with lots of fun and joy and amazing people and experiences.  I end my career, not always being satisfied, but without regrets. I hope you will always remember - do your best, and your best is good enough.  

Go Bruins and Bruin Pride forever.  

Coach Cyndi