Texas Coach Eddie Reese Receives CSCAA Lifetime Achievement Award
The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) proudly announced on Tuesday that Eddie Reese has been selected as the recipient of the CSCAA Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors bestowed by the association.
Reese, who retired from coaching in 2024, was chosen by the CSCAA Executive Board from an exceptional group of nominees in recognition of a career that reshaped collegiate swimming and diving and left an enduring legacy on the sport.
A Florida native and former standout swimmer at the University of Florida, Reese dedicated his life to swimming — first as a student-athlete and ultimately as one of the most influential coaches in the history of collegiate athletics. Over the course of more than 45 seasons at the University of Texas, Reese built one of the most dominant and respected programs the sport has ever known.
Under his leadership, the Longhorns captured 15 NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming & Diving National Championships and more than 40 conference titles, establishing Texas as a perennial standard-bearer in collegiate swimming. Remarkably, Reese became the only coach in NCAA swimming history to win a national championship in five different decades, a distinction that underscores both the longevity and sustained excellence of his career.
Throughout his tenure, Reese coached hundreds of All-Americans and guided more than 40 Olympians who went on to win over 50 Olympic medals, including numerous gold medals. His influence extended far beyond championship results, as he mentored generations of swimmers who competed on the world’s biggest stages and developed countless coaches who now lead programs across the collegiate and international landscape.
Beyond the accolades, Reese’s legacy is defined by his leadership, mentorship, and humanity. Revered by athletes and colleagues alike, he cultivated environments rooted in trust, accountability, and care — developing not only elite competitors, but leaders whose impact continues well beyond the pool deck.
“There are simply not enough words to capture the impact Eddie Reese has had on our sport,” said Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA. “His accomplishments speak for themselves, but it is his approach, his demeanor, loyalty, and kindness that have left a lasting mark on collegiate swimming and diving. Our sport is better because of the time Eddie dedicated to it. On behalf of the CSCAA membership, we are honored and proud to celebrate a legacy that makes him the clear and deserving choice for this recognition.”
The CSCAA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose careers reflect sustained excellence, leadership, and a profound commitment to advancing collegiate swimming and diving. Reese’s body of work — as a coach, mentor, and steward of the sport, embodies those values in every respect.
Reese will be formally recognized on May 4 in Chicago as part of the CSCAA Awards Celebration, where the association will honor a distinguished class of individuals whose contributions have shaped the past, present, and future of collegiate swimming and diving.
CSCAA Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
- 2025 – Anne Goodman James, Colorado College
- 2024 – Dennis Dale, University of Minnesota
- 2023 – Jack Bauerle – University of Georgia
- 2022 – Terry Ganley, University of Minnesota
- 2020 – Rick Walker, Southern Illinois
- 2019 – Nancy Bigelow, Tufts University
- 2018 – John Patnott, Hope College & Jon Lederhouse, Wheaton College
- 2017 – Bev Ball, McMurray University
- 2016 – George Kennedy, Johns Hopkins
- 2014 – Jon Urbanchek, Michigan
- 2013 – Skip Kenney, Stanford
- 2012 – Jim Steen, Kenyon College
- 2011 – Susan Teeter, Princeton
- 2010 – Nort Thornton, California & Peter Daland, Southern California
- 2009 – Richard Quick, Auburn
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with CSCAA. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.