TCU Swimming and Diving Coach Wins C-USA SAAC Coaches Choice Award

Richard Sybesma

TCU swimming and diving coach Richard Sybesma has been honored as the recipient of the third annual Conference USA Student Athlete Advisory Committee’s (SAAC) Coaches Choice Award, it was announced today. The annual award goes to the coach in Conference USA who best exemplifies a commitment to creating a positive academic and athletic atmosphere while fostering the student athlete’s development and welfare.

The SAAC Coaches Choice Award is based on several criteria, including: 1) interaction and participation with athletic and campus community, 2) commitment to academics, 3) athletic achievements and improvements, and 4) motivation, innovation and creativity. Each school’s SAAC nominates one coach from their institution for this award and all 15 SAAC representatives vote to determine the winner.

Sybesma is entering his 25th season as the head coach of TCU swimming and diving, elevating the club team that he inherited in 1978 into the conference champion that it is today. He has coached in a combined total of 503 dual meets, winning 279 of them. Sybesma has tutored 18 All-Americans, seven national champions, 15 Olympic trials qualifiers and one Olympian during his tenure in Fort Worth.

“Swimming is a sport that doesn't get much recognition,” said TCU swimmer Erin Irons. “This not only goes for the sport, but it goes for the coach as well. Richard has taken the TCU swim team to new heights. He has truly made a name for the swim team. If it weren't for Richard's dedication, enthusiasm and hard work the team wouldn't be where they are today. I believe Richard is more than deserving of this award and I am so glad he is finally getting recognized for all his hard work.”

Sybesma led the TCU women to the C-USA Championship while guiding the men to the C-USA Invitational title this past February. Out of the pool, Sybesma continually stresses the importance of academics to his players. Under his direction, the women’s swimming team has been awarded Academic All-American honors by the College Swimming Coaches Association for 24 consecutive semesters.

He also shows strong support for all of TCU Athletics. He is a regular attendee at other Horned Frog sporting events and is a participant on the membership team of the Frog Club, an organization dedicated to raising money for athletics scholarships.

This is the third year that the SAAC Coaches Choice Award has been awarded. Last season, USF head baseball coach Eddie Cardieri won the award. In 2002, outgoing East Carolina baseball coach Keith LeClair, who continues to courageously battle ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), was honored as the first-ever recipient of the award.