Five-Time Olympian and four-time Olympic gold medalist Dara Torres has been named the head swimming and diving coach at Boston College.
In the midst of Olympic Trials taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Torres made the announcement on her personal social media.
“Hello from Olympic Trials! Boston College just announced that I’m joining the program as head swimming & diving coach. It’s been a busy day here. But I want to take a minute for something important. There’s a saying I love: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’ To my coaches, teammates, competitors, sponsors, teachers, advisors, business partners, professional colleagues, family and friends: Thank you. I’m here because you were there. I can’t wait to share my plane with you. Stay tuned-I’ll be in touch!! Thank you!!!”
In a statement from Boston College Torres further elaborated on what it means to be named the Head Coach of the Eagles.
“This is a full-circle moment for me,” Torres said. “I’ve learned from great coaches at every point in my career. This opportunity to share what I’ve learned, in and out of the pool, and pass along technique, confidence, and support as part of the Boston College Athletics Department is a dream. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”
Boston College Director of Athletics Blake James added: “We are thrilled to welcome Dara Torres as our new head swimming & diving coach.
“From the moment we met with Dara, it was evident that she was exactly the fit we were looking for to begin a fresh, new chapter of Boston College swimming & diving. Her record as a world-class competitor is historic and her ability to clearly articulate her vision as a coach and leader will allow our student-athletes to develop and excel in and out of the pool.”
Torres, a five-time Olympian, competed at the 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, and 2008 Olympic Games and became the first American woman to qualify for five Olympiads. Additionally in 2008 Torres became the oldest U.S. women to qualify for an Olympic Swimming Team.
Collegiately Torres swam at the University of Florida for Head Coach Randy Reese. During her time with the Gators Torres was a 28-time All-American and the 1988 SEC Female Athlete of the Year.
Torres is taking over an Eagle program that parted ways with former Head Coach Joe Brinkman in January following the suspension of the program as a whole due to hazing allegations.