Courtesy: Le Moyne Athletics
Syracuse, N.Y. – Le Moyne College announced on Tuesday afternoon that head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach Joe Hannah will retire after 33 years in charge of the Dolphins.
Hannah said the following, “‘Good people’ are those who don’t always get it right, but they continually strive to do better. “Good people” may not always like it, but they do great work with resources at hand. Most of all “good people” are never above treating others like fellow human beings.”
“In all my time at Le Moyne, the overwhelming majority of the folks I have met have indeed been “good people”. That holds true both in and out of the pool and in every building and office on this campus. It was true when I was slightly older than the swimmers on the team and it still is true now that I am four times older than the freshmen! Good people. Now that my ship is sailing out of the Le Moyne port after 33 years, I can only hope that I was worthy of joining their ranks. Before I forget: I am not a swimming snob. Some of the best “good people” I know at Le Moyne can’t swim.”
Hannah has served as the coach of both the men’s and women’s teams since their inception in 1990.
“It’s difficult to accurately portray the impact Joe Hannah has had on the swimming and diving program at Le Moyne College,” said Director of Athletics Bob Beretta. “As the founder of both the men’s and women’s programs here on the Heights, and the only head coach in the history of both programs, Joe has served as a teacher, coach, role model and mentor for hundreds of Le Moyne Student-Athletes.
“While we are saddened to lose such an integral member of our coaching staff, we are also excited for what the future holds for Joe and his family as they begin the next chapter in their lives. We congratulate Joe for an amazing career and thank him for over three decades of selfless service to Le Moyne College and our Athletic Department.”
During his lengthy tenure leading the Dolphins, Hannah has guided nine different swimmers and divers to All-America status over 15 events and Honorable Mention All-America recognition in 31 events. The crowning moment of Hannah’s career came in 2008 when Alison Lesher ’08 won the national championship in the 200-yard butterfly.
The 2008-09 Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year, Le Moyne swimming and diving members won over 100 conference and state titles in both the Northeast-10 Conference and the Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association during Hannah’s time. Since the NE10 added swimming and diving as a championship sport in 2003-04, Hannah has coached seven NE10 Swimmer of the Year recipients, four Rookie of the Year honorees and Josh Byrne was named Diver of the Year each of his four years. Additionally, Hannah coached four members who earned induction in the Le Moyne College Gold Wave Hall of Fame.
A graduate of Allegheny College with a bachelor of arts degree in political science, Hannah received his master’s degree in physical education from Southern Methodist University, and his PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Maryland. Prior to joining the Le Moyne staff, he coached with the Scarborough Swim Club in Scarborough, Ontario, the University of Maryland-College Park team and the Southern Methodist University squad.
Congratulations Joe! Enjoy the next chapter of your life,
and I always knew you were one of the “good people”.