Olympic medal winner inspires Conejo children

Terry Schroeder Two-time Olympic medal winner Terry Schroeder was a little worried. Asked to speak at Hillcrest Christian School about coaching the 2008 U.S. Olympic water polo team to a silver medal victory, he was nervous about facing the kindergartners.

"The young ones scare me. I guess I watched 'Kindergarten Cop' too many times," Schroeder joked.

But headmaster of the school Steve Allen said Schroeder appeared confident as he spoke to about 400 kids ranging from kindergarten to high school age during two chapel services at the school in Thousand Oaks at Erbes Road and Hillcrest Drive.

"With compelling personal stories he taught the students the importance of continuing on—to be determined and not give up," Allen said.

Schroeder shared his experiences preparing as an athlete for the Olympics in 1980 before President Jimmy Carter canceled U.S. participation in the games in Moscow. Despite his disappointment, he continued on and competed at age 24 in the 1984 Olympics and as the water polo team's captain in the1988 Olympics, each time winning a silver medal.

Then this past summer he coached the U.S. Olympic water polo team to a silver medal in Beijing. That was the first time in 20 years the water polo team had won a medal.

Schroeder is now a chiropractor in Westlake Village.

He took time off from his practice on Oct. 30 to speak to the children at Hillcrest Christian School and on Nov. 3 to speak at Oaks Christian High School because he feels it is important to share his gifts from God and inspire others, Schroeder said.

"I tell the kids they should have a dream and commit that dream to God. God wants us to be successful and to work as a team."

He said he regrets how, in the past, he relied on himself more than he relied on God. But when he was at the 2008 Olympics, Schroeder said, he made sure to get down on his knees before the first game, and he "gave it to God."

"Terry taught the students it is important to have faith in God. He explained how having faith in God can get you through tough times," Allen said.

The headmaster said it was important for students to hear that.

"Kids face high expectations—getting into college and keeping grades up. Today's world is tough," Allen said.