After 28 seasons with the Fighting Illini, Sue Novitsky, who served as head coach for the past 22 seasons, has announced her retirement. Novitsky started with Illinois as a volunteer assistant coach in 1994, eventually being promoted to a full-time assistant coach in 1997. In August of 2000, just ahead of the 2000-2001 season, Novitsky was named the 5th head coach in Illinois Swimming & Diving history and has served in that role ever since.
Novitsky retires as Illinois’ winningest swim coach in program history, having led the Illini to 114 dual meet wins over her 22 seasons. She also had 16 individual swimemrs qualify for NCAAs, as well as relays in 2002 and 2006.
Speaking on her retirement, Novtisky said “It has been a tremendous honor to have been able to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches and staff members during my time on deck at Illinois, and I thank you for all of your work.” She went on to say “I am grateful for the opportunity that was given to me and I will cherish all of the memories that I will be taking with me from 28 years wearing Orange & Blue. I wish the University of Illinois Swimming & Diving program all the best for the future and thank everyone that has been a part of the program during that entire time.”
Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said of Novitsky’s retirement, “Under Sue’s leadership, our swimming and diving student-athletes performed exceptionally in the classroom and were always very active on campus and in the community. She retires as the winningest coach in our program’s history, cementing her place in our record books.”
Each of Novitsky’s 22 teams earned either a Superior Ranking or Excellent Ranking for team grade point average by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America.
Illinois says they are beginning a nation-wide search for their new head coach immediately.
Dorsey Tierney-Walker should be considered. Within the B1G and no other way to go but up!
Congratulations on your great career and dedication to UI. Enjoy a few sunrises and sunsets, away from the deck.
Congratulations on a great career. I wish you the best on your retirement and thank you for molding the next generation of athletes. I especially appreciate your dedication to molding your student athletes into well rounded successful people and contributors to society.
Great opportunity for U of I to change the direction of the program. One of the best Age Group swimming states in the country, but never holds up on Senior swimming and basement of the the B1G
Her dedication to good GPA’s and good swim times is soooooooo admirable!
Bring back Don Sammons
Wow…there is a name from the past. Reminder of an era when Univ. of Illinois
was semi -respectable and had a a full
team of men snd women.Don developed some great swimmers at Thornridge H.S.and South Chicago summer clubs( Tommy Beyer) and was a hard nose coach who was always in the shadows of Hinsdale and the John Kinsella teams of the late 60’s and 70’s