Ithaca Creates Endowment in Markwardt's Name

Kevin Markwardt, Ithaca College’s most successful men’s swimming and diving coach, has a new accolade — an endowed fund named in his honor. In recognition of Markwardt’s 27 years of service to the college, former swimmers, friends, and alumni raised a total of $18,900 in gifts and pledges to create the Coach Markwardt Men’s Swimming and Diving Endowed Fund. The new endowment will support annual expenses and equipment costs for the team.

“For all that Kevin has done for us over the years, the endowment was the least we could do to give back to Kevin and the Ithaca College swimming program,” said Steve Barnes ’05, M.S. ’06, a former all-American swimmer and the college’s all-time top record holder in three swimming events. Currently the assistant swimming coach at Kalamazoo College, Barnes was a key figure in organizing the effort to create the endowment.

“Kevin created a strong alumni base over the years, and it meant a lot to us to be able to celebrate his accomplishments and show our appreciation,” Barnes added. “Kevin and [women’s swimming and diving coach] Paula Miller have created a strong tradition and sense of pride among their teams, and we will continue to show our support in as many ways as we can as well as remain an active presence in the Ithaca College community.”

After six seasons as an assistant with the men’s swimming and diving team, Markwardt was named head coach in 1987. Entering the 2007–08 season with a record of 230-56, he has won more meets than any other men’s swimming and diving coach in the program’s 43-year history. During Markwardt’s tenure, his teams have won three UNYSCSA titles, the last coming in 2004, when his Ithaca College Bombers squad broke seven school records and Markwardt was named UNYSCSA Coach of the Year. He has coached 27 athletes to a total of 79 all-American finishes, including two national champions. Six of his teams have finished in the top-25 at NCAA Championships, while records in 18 of the college’s 19 swimming events were set by swimmers under Markwardt’s tutelage.

Active in two of the state’s largest swimming organizations, Markwardt is the past president of the Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association and was closely involved with the Empire State Games (ESG). He was the swimming chairman for the central region of the ESG for 10 years and served four years as state chair.

An all-American in both swimming and track and field at the State University of New York at Cortland, Markwardt received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from that institution.