Summer training camp may not be the usual place to have an epiphany, but that’s where junior Hassaan Abdel Khalik came to his realization at the end of May.

And just a short two months later, his vision of a free swimming clinic for inner-city Detroit children hosted by the Michigan men’s swim team was finally fulfilled.

“As a team, we had never done that much community service before,” senior captain Dan Madwed said. “We wanted to take the opportunity to give back to the community, and (swimming) is something we are all good at.”

While in Colorado, Khalik mentioned his idea to Michigan coach Mike Bottom, who in turn took the idea to USA Swimming. By involving the national organization, the Michigan students no longer had to worry about the technicalities of organizing the clinic. With a location scouted out, and the word spread, all the Wolverines had to do was come up with program of events that could satisfy everyone present.

“We had kids from aged five to 17,” Madwed said. “So we had to find something that everyone could participate in. You can’t be too hard on a four year old.”

With around 50 members of various Detroit swim clubs in attendance for the entirely student-run event, the Wolverines made technique the focal point of the clinic. Each child was given ample time in a small group to working with a Michigan swimmer on each of the strokes.

But the highlight for both the attendees and instructors came unexpectedly at the end of the two-hour event.

The Michigan students had planned to finish the day with a relay, which acts as common conclusion for many swim camps. But then suggestions came from some of the kids, who asked if, instead, they could try something they sometimes did during their own swim practices.

Their proposal revamped the traditional race into one unlike anything the Wolverines had seen before.

“(It was) called Monster,” Madwed said. “The kids are running, swimming, and jumping up and down on the diving boards. (The team) put our trunks on and got in the water with them. It was a fun way to finish the day, and there was just a great attitude all around. The kids were really into it.”

As Michigan athletes, the team recognizes the all the unique resources that are available to them for future events. The combination of both the high turnout and the high student-athlete participation equated to a successful first run, and the team believes that the clinic has the potential to recur annually. While the Wolverines would ideally play host more than once a year, the high demands of their competitive season makes summer the most opportune time to hold the clinic.

“We are just so privileged,” Madwed said. “A lot of these kids might not have that many opportunities. If we made even one difference, and just one of those kids ever came and swam for Michigan at some point in the future, then that would be fantastic. You just want to give them a chance.”