Former World Record-holding swimmer and 7-time NCAA Champion Andy Coan passed away earlier this week, shortly before the NCAA Championships, and since tributes have come in across the country.
That includes this week at NCAAs, where the Tennessee men have written Andy Coan on their chests to remember the legacy of the swimmer who launched Tennessee’s golden era of swimming that included the 1978 team that became the first-ever SEC team to win a men’s swimming NCAA title.
Below, watch a video produced by Tennessee Olympic sports reporter Elaina Lanson that includes interviews with current head coach Matt Kredich.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame complex in Ft. Lauderdale also made their own tribute, putting “RIP Andy Coan” on their scoreboard all week.
@swimswamnews Nice tribute today to Andy Coan at the @ISHOF RIP Andy pic.twitter.com/fEdIqowS1D
— Kevin Majoros (@sportinindc) March 21, 2017
Watching this brought tears to my eyes for about the fifth time this week. And he would’ve been very pleased, humbled, and happy to see this gesture. What a great tribute by the volunteers for a great guy. Go Vols!