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In Memoriam: Ed Geisz, Legendary Swim Coach
Ed Geitz passed away on July 21 at his
home in Cape May, N.J. Geisz served as the head coach of the Wildcat's
men's swim team for 37 years from 1953 until he retired in 1989.
In his first season, Geisz's squad posted
a 1-2 record. The 'Cats were 4-2 in 1954, and with the exception of his
first season, Geisz's teams always had a winning record. He reached a
milestone few collegiate coaches reached before him - the 300-win plateau.
He would go on to record a 308-167-4 dual meet record during his career.
Geisz earned a number of honors and awards
throughout his career. He received the 15, 25 and 30 year service awards
from the College Swimming Coaches Association and went on to receive a
lifetime membership by the CSCA in 1989. He also received the Masters
Coach Award and the Distinguished Coach Award from that group and in 1987
was a finalist for the National Collegiate and Scholastic Swimming Trophy.
He was inducted into the Pennsylvania
Swimming Hall of Fame in 1973, the Villanova Varsity Club Hall of Fame
in 1975 and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1987, he
was the Villanova Varsity Club Man of the Year and one year later was
named the National Catholic Collegiate Championships Coach of the Year.
In 1989, he was named Big East Conference Coach of the Year along with
the Eastern Regional Coach of the Year.
In addition to his collegiate legacy,
Geisz re-established Villanova as the home of the National Catholic Interscholastic
Swimming & Diving Championships in 1953.
Courtesy of Media Relations/Athletics
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