Vaccaro Named Head Coach at Hamline

Frank Vaccaro, a former head coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, has been named head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach at Hamline University, athletic department officials announced on Monday.

Vaccaro comes to the Pipers after serving as the aquatics director with the Jorgensen YMCA since 2004, and as an assistant coach with the Homestead High School swimming program since 2006. Both programs are located in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

“We are pleased to welcome Frank to the Piper staff. Frank excited both the students and the staff with his passion for coaching and recruiting,” said Hamline’s director of athletics, Bob Beeman. “His diverse experience makes him a strong fit for our position, and we feel that he offers us the best opportunity to advance Hamline swimming and diving to the next level of achievement.”

While Vaccaro was at Homestead, both the girls’ and boys’ programs found great success in the pool. The 2008 girls’ team finished third at the Indiana state meet, setting six school records along the way. This improved upon a 2007 campaign in which Vaccaro’s team placed sixth in the state, producing a state champion in the 500-meter freestyle and setting five school records.

Both the 2007 and 2008 boys’ teams at Homestead placed fifth in the state, combining for four school records.

“I look forward to working with the Piper student-athletes,” said Vaccaro. “The Hamline swimming and diving programs have a strong tradition established, and I am excited to have the chance to coach the teams to greater success.”

In his role as the head coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, N.Y.) from 1996 to 2001, Vaccaro’s student-athletes set 21 school records. He sent athletes to the NCAA Division III nationals in four separate years and coached two All-Americans in 2001. His team placed 25th at the NCAA Division III national meet that same season.

Prior to taking the helm at the USMMA, he served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Slippery Rock University (Pennsylvania) from 1993-1996. He coached three All-Americans, and his athletes toppled 12 school records during his tenure.

Vaccaro holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and minors in aquatics and coaching from Ball State University.