Athletics

October 11, 2016 | Athletic Communications

Veteran Swim Coach To Retire At End Of Season

Head coach Bob Goldberg will retire from coaching at the end of the 2016-17 season, after nearly three decades at UConn.

Bob Goldberg, head coach of men's and women's swimming and diving, says he will retire at the end of the 2016-17 season. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)

Bob Goldberg, head coach of men's and women's swimming and diving, says he will retire at the end of the 2016-17 season, after nearly three decades at UConn. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)

University of Connecticut head men’s and women’s swimming coach Bob Goldberg, who is entering his 29th year at UConn and 46th year in coaching overall, has announced that he will retire following the 2016-17 season.

“I have had a very rewarding career at UConn and now I am ready to begin a new chapter in my life,” said Goldberg. “I want to thank all the wonderful people I have worked with at UConn and appreciate all the fantastic relationships I have developed.

“Most of all, I am grateful to the approximately 600-plus student-athletes that have been part of UConn swimming over the years. They have represented our program and our University in a first-class manner academically, athletically and in the community.”

Goldberg’s teams have always contended at the conference level under Goldberg and has finished each of his 28 seasons with a winning record in dual-meet competition.

He has had swimmers compete at the highest levels in both the United States and abroad. UConn swimmers have participated at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Olympic Games, Senior National Championships, U.S. Opens and Regional Championships. International swimmers at UConn have competed nationally in Canada, Israel, Bulgaria, Ireland, England, Suriname, Jamaica, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Poland as well as at the European and World Championships.

Goldberg has spent his entire professional life in aquatics and has worked in just about every level. After spending his early swimming days learning at the YMCA, he swam in prep school before experiencing a college career under legendary coaches Charles Silvia and Charlie Smith at Springfield College.

Goldberg entered academia as a public school teacher, then accepted the position of diving coach and assistant professor at Penn State. He spent three years as an administrator and assistant professor at North Carolina State before coming to UConn to coach swimming in 1988-89.

“I want to congratulate Coach Goldberg on his upcoming retirement and thank him for everything he has done for UConn,” said Director of Athletics David Benedict. “Coach has been at UConn during an incredible time of growth both academically and athletically and he has been a valuable member of the Division of Athletics and the campus community.”