THOMAS “TOM” DIIORIO

2023 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

 It is our honor to welcome Tom DiIorio, who was nominated by HOF member Paul Phillips, into the Rhode Island Aquatics Hall of Fame. Tom has dedicated over 30 years to coaching swimming for the Cumberland-Lincoln Boys & Girls Club, Lincoln High School Swim Team, and the Special Olympics.

Tom’s passion for swimming began as a swimmer at the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club where he swam in the 1960s and 1970s. He coached age group swimmers at the Cumberland- Lincoln’s Boys & Girls Club Penguins Swim Team from 1996 -2009. During this time, the Penguins team grew from 80 swimmers to 150 swimmers, the team won numerous RIMA League Championships and team sportsmanship awards.

From 2006 through the present, Tom has been the head coach for the Lincoln Lion’s High School swim team.  During this time, the team has won several RIIL division championships and team sportsmanship awards. In 2017-2018, Tom was named NFHS Coaches Association Boy’s Coach of the Year and in 2017 was named Lincoln High School coach of the year.

From 2012 through the present, Tom has also been the head coach of the Wampanoag Warriors Special Olympics swim team. During this experience, he has helped impact many people’s lives.

Through Tom’s career of coaching, he has encouraged many individuals to swim competitively from beginners to higher level swimmers. His main philosophy focuses on sportsmanship over competitiveness, and he gives everyone a shot no matter what their swimming experience.

Most importantly, besides mentoring many swimmers to help them become collegiate swimmers or reach other goals, he has provided guidance and support to numerous people in their lives outside the pool. Paul informed us, that Tom was there for him since Paul’s first day as a Head Coach at Clark University and Tom’s friendship, guidance and support has helped Paul build his own career as a Collegiate Swim Coach. HOF member Beverly Bloomer hired Tom at the CLBGC and is eternally grateful to him for his contributions and leadership, HOF member Glenn Ginish and Tom are childhood friends, grew up swimming together and Glen recruited Tom to assist him in coaching the Penguins, and Tom stewarded HOF member Evan Miller’s career through high school, where Evan served as the Captain of the LHS Lions team and became the 2010 Special Olympics Athlete of the Year.  The list goes on and on.

Tom embodies the meaning of coaching, teaching and mentorship.