FERRUM, Va. – Ferrum College and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics mourn the loss of Head Men’s & Women’s Swimming Coach Tom Calomeris, who died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Calomeris is survived by his wife Mollie, son Patrick (10) daughter Maria (6), two adult daughters, Tina and Jill, and six grandchildren. The Calomeris family resides in Lexington, Virginia.
Calomeris came to Ferrum in October 2012 from Lexington, Virginia, to serve as women’s swimming coach. At the time of his hiring, Calomeris also began recruiting for a men’s swimming program, which launched in the fall of 2013. His men’s swimming team currently has a 2-0 record this season, while his women are 1-2.
Calomeris coached at Catholic University from 1987-2004, producing four Capital Athletic Conference championships (1994, 1995, 1999, 2000) with the Cardinals. His 1994 and 1995 men’s teams won National Catholic School Division III championships, hosted at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Calomeris’ women’s team took the 1995 NCS national championship.
Calomeris had eight individuals qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships, including three that earned NCAA All-America honors. Calomeris earned Capital Athletic Conference Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year four times (1994, 1995, 1999, 2000). He was the 1994 and 1995 National Catholic School Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year in 1994 and 1995, as well as the women’s NCS Coach of the Year in 1995.
Calomeris served as Paralympics Games Assistant Swimming Coach at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, helping lead Joyce Luncher to four gold medals and four world records for the United States. He was also Paralympics World Trials Assistant Coach for the Atlanta Games.
A former police officer with Prince George’s County, Maryland, Police Department, Calomeris eventually earned the rank of detective before retiring after 20 years on the force. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 89, and holds professional membership in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Details for Coach Calomeris’ arrangements will be announced shortly.
The above is a press release written by Ferrum College.
Coach Cal is the reason Brent and I are together. He was a great mentor/coach and cared strongly for every swimmer. We are happy he was able to meet our children, whom are all swimmers. I can only hope they have a coach as unique and entertaining as Coach Cal during their swimming careers.
Like a second father to us both. A coach (CUA) , friend and mentor. Will always cherish our friendship. miss you and God bless you and family. Brian and Lisa Larkin
I’ve known Tom for years….he coached both of my sons at Catholic U in DC….great guy with a terrific dynamic attitude toward the sport of swimming and life in general. ….a big loss.
He was the perfect coach for me and my career. He was a great friend that called frequently to tell me how proud he was of my coaching career. RIP Cal…you are hugely missed already.
I am in shock- coach thank you for all you did for the 1996 Paralympic swim team. You were there to help bring a diverse group of athletes together- we achieve more than we all thought. I can remember several conversations about swimming is a metaphor for life. Thank you, thank you thank you- we all are grateful– so sorry for your family– Julie Wolfe beadle, member, 1996 Paralympic team