Finding someone with Dow’s background with a successful program, as well as his energy and knowledge, was instrumental in the search process, according to Weaver. He said that over 70 applications were received as a part of the national search.
“Coach Dow is an outstanding fit for Bethany College and our swimming and diving program,” said Weaver. “He has an outstanding record of accomplishment as both a swimmer and coach. His winning attitude, commitment to excellence, and experience at the Division III level will have an immediate impact on our program.”
For Dow, the opportunity to stay at the Division III level and coach at a small college of national distinction like Bethany was exactly what he was looking for in his first head coaching position.
“I am excited for this opportunity and see Bethany as a great fit because of its academic and athletic tradition,” said Dow. “I love coaching Division III athletes. Bethany has such a beautiful campus and wonderful faculty and staff. I am looking forward to sharing with recruits the history, the academic quality, and our plans for the future of this program.”
Dow comes to Bethany after a two-year stint at his alma mater as the assistant coach. During his tenure on the coaching staff, the Red Dragon men’s team went 28-5 in dual meets and finished in second place at the SUNYAC Championships twice, while the women posted a 21-7 record in dual meets and finished second at the SUNYAC meet in 2010 and third this past winter.
Aside from the team success, Dow was highly involved with the individual medley and backstroke training group, which included a two-time NCAA All-American, two NCAA provisional qualifiers, 10 All-Conference team members and nine individual school records being broken over a two-year span. In addition to the success in the water, Dow played a large role in Cortland’s recruiting and those efforts helped add over 30 swimmers to an already established group of successful student-athletes.
Before helping coach swimmers to all-conference and school record performances, Dow was achieving them himself as with the Red Dragons. A four-year member and two-year captain, he broke the school record in the 1,000 Freestyle in 2009. Dow claimed two titles in the 1,650 Free at the SUNYAC Championship meet and was twice named to the SUNYAC All-Conference First Team and twice to the Second Team.
Dow earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management with a minor in computer applications from Cortland. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Recreation Management in Leisure Services from Cortland.
When Dow begins recruiting, he wants to find student-athletes who fit in well at Bethany and bring a strong attitude and work ethic to the pool.
“The student-athletes we want should be a good fit for the entire College community—as students, as leaders, and as athletes,” said Dow. “I want them to choose Bethany, first and foremost, because of the outstanding academic reputation of the College. I also want to recruit student-athletes who have a good team attitude and are committed to a four year program of individual and team growth.”
Bethany College is a selective national liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1,020 (900 residential). The College is located on a picturesque campus in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains.
The swimming and diving program competes in the Knight Natatorium of the Thomas Phillips Johnson Recreation Center.
