DAVID T. ROACH

1988 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Dave has over twenty years of coaching experience dating back to 1966 when he coached the Ridgewood Country Club Swimming team in Prospect, Connecticut, and almost thirty years in competitive swimming beginning in 1959 at the Waterbury YMCA in Waterbury, CT.  Dave’s outstanding coaching record has really developed in recent years.  He coached the Brown Women Swimming Teams from 1978 to 1986, compiling a 74-6-1 record, and led them to four Ivy League and two Eastern Swim League Championships.

During his time he coached four Division 1 All-Americans, and in 1984 the Brown women were 14th at the Division I Nationals.  Since 1986 he has been Head Women’s Swim Coach at the University of Tennessee.  In his first year the Lady Vols finished 14th at the NCAA Nationals.  In 1987, Dave was named the Southeastern Conference Co-Swim Coach of the Year along with Randy Reese of Florida.  Dave coached the East Team at the United States Olympic Camp Sports Festival, served on the staff of the United States Olympic Development Distance Training Camp in Colorado Springs, and directed many national and local swim camps.  Dave also served on the staff of the United States National Team that traveled to Japan in 1985.

As a competitive swimmer, Dave swam at J.F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, Connecticut and at Springfield College, where he co-captained the 1970-1971 team.  Springfield was the New England Champion during Dave’s three varsity years.

David has served as president (1981-1982) of the Ivy League Swimming Coaches, chairman (1985) of the Eastern Women’s Swimming League Executive Committee, and participated on the National AIAW Division I Swimming Committee and the National Collegiate Women’s Swimming Coaches Association.  

He is presently serving on the College Swimming Coaches Association Academic All-American Selection Committee.