Middlebury College has named Bob Rueppel the new head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming programs as well as the director of the college’s natatorium. Rueppel comes to Middlebury from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Penn., where he has served as the men’s and women’s coach since 2001. He succeeds Peter Solomon, who announced in April that he was stepping down on June 30 after 14 years in this role.“Bob brings a wealth of experience to this position,” said Middlebury College Director of Athletics Erin Quinn. “He understands the balance between athletics and academics at Middlebury, and I am confident that he can coach the members of the swimming and diving program to reach their full potential as student athletes.”
During his 10-year run at F&M, Rueppel’s teams won 10 conference titles (7 men, 3 women) and broke nearly 90 school records. He coached three NCAA Champions, 37 All-Americans as well as five Academic All-Americans, while his teams earned Team Academic All-American honors for nine straight years. His athletes won Centennial Conference individual titles 139 times, setting 55 Conference marks. Rueppel’s men’s team compiled a 44-10 mark in dual meets during his tenure, while the women were 53-10. He was named the Centennial Conference’s inaugural Coach of the Year in 2010.
“I am honored to have been given this incredible opportunity to become the next swim coach at Middlebury College,” said Rueppel. “I look forward to continuing the great tradition of success the program has enjoyed for many years.”
Rueppel is a 1983 graduate of St. Bonaventure University, where he received a degree in business administration and management. He began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1983, taking over the reins of the women’s program until 1989. He worked as an assistant at Wright State University in Ohio from 1994-1995 before becoming the head men’s and women’s coach at Wittenberg University, also in Ohio, from 1995-2001. At Wittenberg, where he coached 33 All-Americans, his athletes broke 58 school records, and the team earned Academic All-American honors for six consecutive seasons.
