Colorado College’s Anne Goodman James to Retire at End of 48th Season
Anne Goodman James, who has coached college swimming for 48 seasons, has announced her intention to retire at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Goodman James is wrapping up her 18th season at Colorado College. A member of the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America’s 100 Greatest Coaches of the past century (and a director of its steering committee), she has been involved in coaching for nearly a half-century.
“Saying the word ‘retire’ to my team was a bit overwhelming, but I know this is the right time,” Goodman James said in a university statement. “The summer of 1974 was the first time I walked onto the pool deck as a coach, and it has been my passion ever since. I am honored to have been able to share the lives of so many young people during their college years and to maintain those connections after they graduate. I am also grateful for the staff who have supported me, and for the many coaching colleagues across the country who have become a part of my life. I am so fortunate to have had such amazing and varied opportunities.”
Goodman James started coaching soon after her graduation from Texas Tech in 1975. She coached at her alma mater over two stints from 1976-80 and 1982-86, around a one-year stay at California State University at Hayward. She was a head coach at Northern Michigan University from 1986-96, the University of Arkansas from 1996-2006 and now Colorado College since 2006.
In all, she coached 99 All-Americans and 29 national champions.
“It is hard to comprehend the impact Anne has had in her 48 years of coaching,” Colorado College’s Director of Athletics Lesley Irvine said. “Simply put, she is a legend in her sport and has impacted our campus and department in so many incredible ways. We congratulate her on all she has achieved and look forward to celebrating her in the coming months.”
At Colorado College, she led the Tigers to perennial contention in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, including second-place results at the championships in 2023 for both men’s and women’s. She led the Tigers in 2012 to their first national ranking at season’s end since the 1970s.
Goodman James’ many accolades include two NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year awards (1988, 1991) at NMU, whose Sports Hall of Fame she is a member of and where she spent five years as an assistant athletic director. Goodman James was a member the NCAA Swimming and Diving Committee from 1987-94 and 2007-13. She was the president of the CSCAA from 1993-95, received her master’s degree from Indiana University and won the CSCAA’s Steadman Award in 2005.
“When I think of all the people who have trusted me over the years, I am truly humbled,” Goodman James said. “Their trust is the reason for my success. We have some extremely accomplished alumni, and when they talk about being a part of our team as their most transforming college experience, you know that what we have is special. While many people look at Swimming and Diving as an individual sport, I have always looked at it as a team sport and spent time developing that team-first atmosphere. That keeps this grueling sport fun.”
Wow-surprise ! She’s done incredible job where ever she’s been and a wonderful human being. Had such a positive impact on so many. Wish her the best going forward and hope to see her down the road.