Courtesy: Marist Athletics
POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Marist Associate Head Swimming Coach/Head Diving Coach Melanie Bolstad has announced her retirement, effective June 30.
Bolstad’s tenure at Marist began in 1987. She helped guide the Red Foxes to all of the 36 conference championships they have achieved in the history of the men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs.
“I’m very thankful to Dennis Murray, Tim Murray, and Larry VanWagner for providing the opportunity to coach and raise our family in such a supportive atmosphere,” Bolstad said. “I’m grateful as a coach for our athletes to realize the potential they had and achieve 36 conference championships. It has been enjoyable to work with the student-athletes to make them the best they can be. We’ve had some wonderful swimming and diving teams here that I’ll never forget.”
The excellence achieved by Bolstad’s divers combined with the tutelage of head swimming coach Larry VanWagner have elevated Marist swimming & diving to the pinnacle of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for the last quarter-century. Marist has captured 18 women’s team championships and 12 men’s championships since joining the MAAC in 1996. The Red Foxes also have captured two men’s and two women’s championships in the Metropolitan Conference, and two women’s ECAC Championships.
Individually, Marist divers have won 28 MAAC championships and 22 ECAC championships. Bolstad has coached the ECAC Male Diver of the Meet for each of the last five years, the ECAC Female Diver of the Meet for four straight years, and several NCAA Zone finalists.
Bolstad and her husband, Rick, have raised three sons: Jeffrey (pilot for Delta, Navy Reserves Lieutenant Commander), Brian (assistant coach at Marist and Spanish teacher at New Paltz High School), and Scott (Navy Lieutenant based in Italy). Brian Bolstad still owns Marist’s program records in 1- and 3-meter diving a decade after his graduation.
Bolstad also served as a club coach in her time at Marist, and she has taught classes in the Physical Education Department since 1989. Her courses have included Diving, Swimming, Lifeguard Training, Archery, Racquetball, and Volleyball.
“There has always been a common thread throughout the past 30 years that has allowed our swimming & diving teams to capture 36 conference titles,” Director of Swimming Larry VanWagner said. “Coach Bolstad has raised the bar for educational and scientific awareness we have found necessary to realize our athlete’s potential. Her professional approach toward teaching has exhibited the highest standard of coaching within the Marist College Athletics Department and MAAC.”
Bolstad’s first coaching job came as a graduate assistant diving coach at Ithaca College, where she coached three Division III All-Americans while earning a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology. She then moved on to Vassar in 1983, where she mentored a New York State champion and a two-time Division III All-American.
In her collegiate career, Bolstad excelled as a diver at the University of Maryland, where she graduated from in 1982. She set the school record in both the 1- and 3-meter dives, captured the EISL 1-meter championship, qualified for the NCAA Zone Championships, and was an Atlantic Coast Conference finalist. She was honored at Maryland by earning team MVP honors and was named the team’s top scholar-athlete.
“Marist College and our Athletics Department has been extremely fortunate to have someone of Melanie Bolstad‘s background and experience with collegiate diving for so many years,” Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray said. “Our student-athletes over the past 32 years have been coached by one of the finest individuals and coaches in the business. The success of her divers have been an integral part of one of the most successful swimming and diving programs in the country. The department appreciates her energy and passion in support of our student-athletes. We wish Melanie, Rick, and the entire Bolstad family many blessings in the years to come.”
Congratulations Coach! Excellent career!