Jimi Flowers, a former Auburn swimming assistant coach and current U.S. Paralympic swim coach, died Friday in a mountain climbing accident near Aspen, Colo.
Flowers, 47, was an assistant coach at Auburn from 1984-89 and 1995-99.
“Jimi Flowers’ enthusiasm and dedication for Auburn swimming and diving was paramount in the rise of our program through the past few decades,” Auburn head coach Brett Hawke said. “His ability to recruit the most positive and talented young student-athletes to the Auburn campus was unparalleled.
“His loss is certainly a big one to the swimming world. Jimi touched so many in the swimming community not only as a coach on the collegiate and Olympic stages, but also as the U.S. Paralympics team manager and coach.”
Flowers was USA Swimming’s national team director from 1989-93. He also worked at the United States Olympic Committee prior to his return to Auburn in 1995.
“We are very shocked and saddened by the news of Jimi’s untimely death,” Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs said. “I’m very fortunate to have gotten to know Jimi well during his time at Auburn, which began early in both of our professional careers. He was a great individual and an outstanding coach, who left a lasting impression on everyone he knew. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jimi’s family.”
Flowers’ memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Thursday at Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colo. The time of the service and additional details will be reported as they become available.
Additionally, the family will be establishing the Sam and Lauren Flowers Family Fund. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family encourages donations be made to the fund. Details on how to contribute will be available in the next few days.
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