Courtesy: Tufts Athletics
MEDFORD – Abby Brethauer, the head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming programs at the University of Mary Washington for the past eight seasons, has been hired as the Associate head coach of both teams at Tufts University.
Brethauer will replace Nancy Bigelow, who is retiring at the end of the year following a 43-year career as a swimming coach including the past 36 seasons at Tufts.
Adam Hoyt, the head coach of the Jumbo men’s and women’s teams, first met Brethauer while he was an assistant at Trinity College and Brethauer was at Hamilton College in the early 2000’s. He knows she will be a great fit for the Jumbos.
“I remember the energy and enthusiasm Abby possessed,” Hoyt said. “Over the past 16 years I’ve remained in contact with Abby and enjoyed seeing her succeed everywhere she has coached. Abby continues to carry that enthusiasm and energy to every program she joins, and along with it brings great coaching and team building experience. ”
At Mary Washington since 2010, Brethauer has received six women’s Coach of the Year honors and four with the men’s team in the Capital Athletic Conference. While there she also served on the Presidential Task Force for Diversity & Inclusion and was the Athletic Department’s Community Service Coordinator from 2013-18.
“Abby shares similar values to that of our team and I know she’ll be a great addition to our staff,” Hoyt said. “I’m excited to have her bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program, and have her work with me in every aspect of continuing to develop great student athletes that can compete with the best in the country.”
Originally from Bedford, New Hampshire, Brethauer was an assistant coach at Columbia University from 2004-10. In addition to her time at Hamilton College, she also has familiarity with the New England Small College Athletic Conference as the head coach of the Bates College Swim Camp since 2008.
As a competitor, Brethauer was a member of three NCAA championship teams at Kenyon College, where she was team captain for 2001-02. A former NCAA DIII national record holder and 13-time All-American, Brethauer graduated from Kenyon in 2002. She earned a Master’s degree in Kinesiology at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College in 2009.
“I am so humbled by the opportunity to join Tufts’ family, and to be part of an amazing academic institution with one of the greatest Athletic Departments in the country is overwhelming,” Brethauer said. “I cannot wait to work with Coach Hoyt on a daily basis and be part of the tradition of great coaches like (former Tufts men’s coach) Coach Megerle and Coach Bigelow who I have known and respected since my time as a swimmer.
“Most importantly I cannot wait to work with our amazing student-athletes and hope to contribute to their success in the classroom and the pool,” she said. “And as an added bonus I get to be in the best city and cheer on the Sox in person!”
Brethauer will start at Tufts on July 1.
Yay Abby!!!
Great Coach…well deserved
Wow, I’m getting so old! I remember Abby when she was an age-group swimming competitor for Seacoast Swimming Association here in New England and I was a coach at my local YMCA! She was a tenacious competitor even then, and I remember that she was well-liked by swimmers on my team. I happen to live down the road from Tufts right now, so it’s weird to read about her new job there, but I want to offer Abby my sincere congratulations and wish her well!
Old? I remember her swimming for the Bedford Swim Team as a 13 year old. Great addition to the Tufts team and the NESCAC conference.
Damn this is awesome. Congratulations Abby (and Adam, and Tufts). This is going to be great.