Steve Eckelkamp is no longer the head coach of the Florida Atlantic men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs, with the two sides reportedly parting ways late last week. The school confirmed on Wednesday that he is “no longer with FAU’s swim program,” but didn’t elaborate on the nature of the termination of employment nor the reasons.
Ecklecamp had been the head coach of the women’s team since 1989, when they were a top-tier NCAA Division II program. Among the milestones in his career at the helm of the Owls is leading the men’s team to a 20th-place finish at the 1996 NCAA Championships: the school’s first male sport to qualify for a Division I post-season championship.
But his teams have been absent from NCAA’s since both the men’s and women’s teams scored at the 2006 championship. The men finished 4th at this year’s Conference USA Championship meet and the women’s team was 7th. Both teams were led by strong diving performances, including diving coach Michelle Davison-Sandelin being named the conference’s men’s diving coach of the year when Greg Fox won two of the three men’s diving titles.
Eckelkamp has a long coaching history; prior to coming to FAU, he was an assistant with the Minnesota men from 1985-1989: a team that finished 11th at NCAA’s in his last season there. He was also an assistant at the famed Indian River Community College beginning in 1981, when that program was just beginning their unparalleled run of dominance.
Internationally, he’s served on multiple USA National Team staffs, including for the 1991 LEN Cup in Rome, at the 1993 Long Distance Training Camp, on the 1991 World University Games staff, on the 2001 Goodwill Games Staff, and most recently on the staff for the 2006 World Short Course Championships in Shanghai, China.
As a former swimmer of his I can say that coaching was his life. He never missed a day and had to be at the pool every morning at 5:30 am and worked though afternoon practices till 5 or 6 at night. He will be missed !
Steve Eckelkamp is a world class coach. Not only is he a class act, he is a wonderful person, father and husband. He has been a very successful coach over the years and has helped many athletes reach their potential in the pool and in academics. When a school cuts funding as FAU did year over in such an incredible sport, it is just sad for the athletes. What makes someone successful is how they overcome those challenges and still hold a team together without funding. Steve is my husband, best friend and I am incredibly proud of what he has achieved over his coaching career. No one will match his heart and passion for swimming and coaching or his… Read more »
I am a former swimmer of Steve and Coach Ingram while at IRCC from 82′ – 84′. He was always much more than just a coach, he was a mentor and friend. I am sure there are many others that feel the same as he coached and lead us with values and integrity.
Don’t forget Bela Szabados
1996 NCAA Champion 200 Free – 1:34.33
When FAU had a six lane pool.
Steve also set the world record for canoeing down the mississippi river (with KJ Milhone) and the two of them also kayaked the Amazon!
Steve, you are a class act!