Sundance Aquatic Association

The Sundance Swim Association was begun by two bothers, Peter and Dave Barney who were coaching at the Albuquerque Country Club. When asked where the name "Sundance" came from, Dave Barney responded as follows: "Well," he said, "I was driving down Coors Blvd., with my brother Peter. I told him this new swim league was really taking off, but I just couldn't come up with the right name." Several names were thrown out, but none seemed quite right. Then Dave glanced across the road at a small laundry and dry cleaning. It was called "Sundance Laundry." Dave knew immediately that would be the perfect match for his league name. The laundromat is gone and forgotten, but the Sundance Swim Association has become a tradition in New Mexico Swimming.

Established in the summer of 1983, the Peter B. Barney Sportsmanship Award was created to honor the memory of Peter B. Barney. Coach Barney passed away in August 1982 shortly after the 1982 Sundance Champtionship Meet. Peter was a popular swim coach and aquatic director at the Tennis Club of Albuquerque in the late 60's, and, the Albuquerque Country Club and the Sierra Vista West Swim & Tennis Club in the 70's and early 80's. Peter was also a history teacher and the varsity boys swim coach at Albuquerque Academy from 1969 through 1982. The Barney trophy was conceived and paid for by a group of Albuquerque Country Club parents, headed by Ida Kelly, a local Realtor and then President of the ACC. The trophy perpetuates the memory of a man who gave of himself and his energies to young swimmers, many of whom ultimately became champion swimmers at the Sundance, high school, and college levels. "BIG PETE", as many of his swimmers called him, was a man of genuine humor and consistently good heart. He was a man we should not forget. . . EVER.