Coaches - Dave Berkoff / Shirley Gustafson

Coach Dave is a native of the Philadelphia area, attending the William Penn Charter High School and later Harvard University where he graduated with a degree in anthropology. Dave came to MAC and Missoula in 1992 where he graduated from the University of Montana's Environmental Studies Program and Law School. He is currently a partner with the Garlington, Loh & Robinson, PLLP law firm here in town. Dave's background includes 22 years of competitive swimming, membership on the 1988 and 1992 U.S. Olympic Swimming Teams, and more than 20 years of coaching experience. During his competitive career, Dave set five world records, 11 American records, and won four Olympic medals, including two gold. His 50 meter backstroke split time from the 1988 Olympic 100 meter back finals still ranks in the top 20 all-time.

Coach Shirley is a Missoula native treasure. She swam with MAC as a storied age grouper, Montana champion, and record holder. She has coached MAC since 1990. Shirley graduated from the University of Montana where she met Dave. In 1995, Shirley surprised Dave with an impromptu wedding proposal on the pool deck of the summer state championship meet. With 300 swimmers surrounding them both, Dave's fate was sealed. In 1996, Dave and Shirley were married in Caras Park surrounded by the entire MAC team, friends and family.

Dave and his wife Shirley are Montana's two longest tenured coaches, each having been with MAC for more than 15 years! Both have coached every age group at MAC--from 8 & unders to the Senior squad and believes every level of swimmer is critical to the team. Swimmers coached by Dave and Shirley have achieved great things in life outside the pool including attending more than 32 different colleges on both athletic and academic scholarships and traveling the world. Dave's coaching mantra is to assure that kids have fun, learn to become quality people, set goals and follow-though. Shirley's theory on swimming is to make every kid smile and believe in their ability to improve and achieve personal bests.

Dave and Shirley's son, Cale, and daughter, Katharine, also swim for MAC. Shirley enjoys traveling, gardening, and giving Dave projects. In his (limited) spare time, Dave loves to garden, fly fish, run, tell stories that no one believes, and hang out with his family.