Sept. 21, 2004

Contact: Gordon Ovenshine 724-738-4954; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

AMERICAN RED CROSS TURNS TO SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY WATER INSTRUCTION EXPERT FOR EDITING HELP ON SWIMMING MANUAL

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – When the American Red Cross revised its Swimming and Water Safety handbook for the first time in 10 years, the organization turned to Slippery Rock University physical education Professor Robert Ogoreuc for editorial leadership.

Because of his 14 years of teaching water instruction at SRU, the American Red Cross asked him to join the editorial advisory team that worked for three years to produce the 275-page edition, just published and distributed nationwide.

 Ogoreuc’s team guided content of the book, including chapters on basic aquatic skills, stroke mechanics, and disabilities and other conditions. He edited the companion Swimming and Diving Manual, the Swimming and Diving Instructor Manual and the organization’s new LEARN-to-swim videos.

“It was an important project because community centers nationwide use these books and videos for teaching thousands of children to swim,” said Ogoreuc, who directs SRU’s aquatic minor and teaches six of its courses. “We also restructured the Red Cross skill levels and came up with Level 6, which has a menu option that focuses on preparing students to participate in more advanced courses, including life guarding.”

The Red Cross recently sent Ogoreuc, a ’96 SRU graduate, a plaque and framed copy of the handbook. The Butler chapter of the Red Cross initially recruited him.

The advisory team included nine people from across the country.

Strong influence at SRU

Ogoreuc was instrumental in creating SRU’s aquatics minor and bringing it into the physical education program, said Dr. Jay Hertzog, College of Education dean.

“Bob Ogoreuc's name is synonymous with swimming and aquatics at SRU,” he said. “What a benefit it is for our students to have someone of this stature and reputation with whom to study.”

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