Eastern Illinois Hires Tyler Donges as New Swimming Head Coach

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Photo Courtesy: EIU Athletics

Eastern Illinois Hires Tyler Donges as New Swimming Head Coach

Eastern Illinois on Monday announced the hiring of Tyler Donges as the new head coach of the school’s men’s and women’s swim teams.

Donges spent the 2020-21 season at Division II Anderson University, helping the team set 22 program records and earn a CSCAA Scholar All-America Team award.

“I’d like to thank Dr. (David) Glassman, Tom Michael, Mark Bonnstetter and the rest of the hiring committee for choosing me,” Donges said in a university statement. “Being chosen for this position is literally a dream come true and I’m looking forward to bringing my talents to a higher level of competition and work with so many talented athletes. EIU swimming has a long history of talent and success and I’m looking forward to leading the team to new heights.”

Donges also worked as a coach and aquatics director at The Bridgewater Club in Carmel, Ind. In 2019, he was the head coach at the EXOS/Bryan Glazer Jewish Community Center in Tampa, Fla., overseeing the swim fitness program and recruiting. He started in 2012 at Yorktown Swim Club in Indiana, rising to take over as head coach in 2015. He was an assistant coach at Yorktown High School/Yorktown Middle School from 2011-19.

“I would like to welcome Tyler and his wife Emma to Charleston and the Panther family,” EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael said. “He has great enthusiasm for the sport of swimming and despite the difficult circumstances all collegiate athletes competed through last season, his teams were able to set numerous school records and excel in the classroom.  Tyler brings extensive experience coaching and working at the club level and I’m excited for him to be able to coach our program.”

Donges holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University. In addition to his coaching past, he’s worked as a math teacher and academic advisor, the latter at his alma mater.

Donges replaces Evan Sholudko, who spent the last two years with the Panthers. EIU’s men finished fourth at the Summit League Championships in 2021, with the women fifth.

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