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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Athletics Mourns the Passing of Don Reddish
3/14/2023 4:52 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Utah Athletics Hall of Fame swimming and diving coach passed away at 99 years old
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Athletics is mourning the passing of Don Reddish, who coached the Utes' swimming and diving program from 1949-1990, and was inducted into the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday.
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"Don made such a significant impact on the lives of those he coached and all who were fortunate to know him," said Director of Athletics Mark Harlan. "After his retirement he remained close to the program and the department, and I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with him and marvel at his passion for Utah swimming and diving, and his desire to see the student-athletes and coaches succeed."
Reddish became head coach of the Utah swimming and diving program in 1949 and spent 37 years guiding the Utes' program. With the exception of two years in which he served in the Korean War, Reddish served as head coach until his retirement in 1990 at the age of 68.Â
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Over the course of those 37 seasons, Reddish coached the Utes to 19 conference championships, winning titles in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and he added one more in his final season in 1989-90. Under his watch, 27 Utah swimmers achieved All-American status and Reddish also compiled a dual meet record of 267-84-6, a win percentage of .701. He was recognized as conference coach of the year six times and NCAA region coach of the year three times.
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The pool in the Utes' home facility, the Ute Natatorium, was named in his honor in 2018. The honor was particularly special considering the natatorium was initially envisioned by Reddish and was built during his coaching tenure. His name is also on the annual award given to the athletic department's most outstanding coach in a sport other than football, basketball and gymnastics.
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"My thoughts and prayers are with Don's family," said head swimming and diving coach Jonas Persson. "He lived a long, meaningful, and very impactful life. I'm very honored to have the same job as Don did for so many years. He left a great legacy at Utah, he left great traditions with Utah Swim and dive teams, and we are all so appreciative of his long and hard work with the swim and dive team. He will be missed, but his spirit will live on with every swimmer and diver that comes to the Utah swim and dive program."
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Following a stint in the service during World War II, Reddish had remaining college credits to finish. He was originally offered a job in the Utah athletics department by then-athletics director Ike Armstrong finding jobs around campus for football players to earn money. He took on the job of coaching the swim team on a fill-in basis for a year when the coach at the time went on sabbatical. After retiring in 1990 he continued to serve as an assistant athletics director for several more years.
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Beyond his duties as assistant athletics director and leader of the swimming and diving program, Reddish was president of the CSCAA, chairman of the NCAA, a member of the NCAA-AAU rules committee and multi-time director of the NCAA championship meet.
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Don Reddish left an enduring impression on the sport of swimming and diving, not only in Utah but throughout the country.
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Don Reddish Obituary
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"Don made such a significant impact on the lives of those he coached and all who were fortunate to know him," said Director of Athletics Mark Harlan. "After his retirement he remained close to the program and the department, and I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with him and marvel at his passion for Utah swimming and diving, and his desire to see the student-athletes and coaches succeed."
Reddish became head coach of the Utah swimming and diving program in 1949 and spent 37 years guiding the Utes' program. With the exception of two years in which he served in the Korean War, Reddish served as head coach until his retirement in 1990 at the age of 68.Â
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Over the course of those 37 seasons, Reddish coached the Utes to 19 conference championships, winning titles in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and he added one more in his final season in 1989-90. Under his watch, 27 Utah swimmers achieved All-American status and Reddish also compiled a dual meet record of 267-84-6, a win percentage of .701. He was recognized as conference coach of the year six times and NCAA region coach of the year three times.
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The pool in the Utes' home facility, the Ute Natatorium, was named in his honor in 2018. The honor was particularly special considering the natatorium was initially envisioned by Reddish and was built during his coaching tenure. His name is also on the annual award given to the athletic department's most outstanding coach in a sport other than football, basketball and gymnastics.
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"My thoughts and prayers are with Don's family," said head swimming and diving coach Jonas Persson. "He lived a long, meaningful, and very impactful life. I'm very honored to have the same job as Don did for so many years. He left a great legacy at Utah, he left great traditions with Utah Swim and dive teams, and we are all so appreciative of his long and hard work with the swim and dive team. He will be missed, but his spirit will live on with every swimmer and diver that comes to the Utah swim and dive program."
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Following a stint in the service during World War II, Reddish had remaining college credits to finish. He was originally offered a job in the Utah athletics department by then-athletics director Ike Armstrong finding jobs around campus for football players to earn money. He took on the job of coaching the swim team on a fill-in basis for a year when the coach at the time went on sabbatical. After retiring in 1990 he continued to serve as an assistant athletics director for several more years.
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Beyond his duties as assistant athletics director and leader of the swimming and diving program, Reddish was president of the CSCAA, chairman of the NCAA, a member of the NCAA-AAU rules committee and multi-time director of the NCAA championship meet.
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Don Reddish left an enduring impression on the sport of swimming and diving, not only in Utah but throughout the country.
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Don Reddish Obituary
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