Casey Converse will retire as the head coach of the Air Force Falcons women’s at the end of the 2016-2017 season after 29 years at the Academy. His official retirement date will be June 30, 2017.
“We are so grateful for Casey’s tremendous service to the Air Force Academy over the last 29 years,” director of athletics Jim Knowlton said. “His leadership, loyalty and vision for nearly three decades have been instrumental in our women winning two national titles, progressing to Division I status in the Mountain West, and providing our Air Force outstanding leaders of character as second lieutenants. Casey has left an incredible legacy here at the Academy and we wish him and his family all the best for continued success in his retirement.”
Converse was the head coach of the men’s and women’s teams from 1988-1997, at which point the Air Force women’s athletics teams, including swimming, moved to Division I. At that point, Converse turned his focus to just the women’s team.
He has a career 309-205-2 dual meet record at Air Force, and as such is the winningest coach in school history. He’s coached 32 swimmers to 178 All-American awards at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels, and at the Division II level had 17 event national championships. He rode that success to back-to-back women’s Division II National Championships in 1995 and 1996.
Converse is ending his career on a high note. In 2016, now-senior Genevieve Miller finished 13th in the 500 yard free and 10th in the 1650 free at the NCAA Championships, making her the first female swimmer from any service academy to score at the Division I NCAA Swimming Championships. While Miller’s individual success has been history-making at the Academy, as a team the Falcons finished just 9th (of 10 teams) at last year’s Mountain West Conference Championships – beating only Fresno State.
“Casey Converse has been an institution at the Air Force Academy,” said Randy Spetman, Air Force Academy director of athletics from 1996-2003. “Both as an athlete and a coach, I have so much respect for Casey. He is a man of tremendous integrity and his work ethic is second to none. He has touched so many young lives over his 29 years that both he and his family should be extremely proud of what he has accomplished. It was a great honor for me to work with him and celebrate those national championships. I wish him all the best in his retirement and all his future endeavors.”
The 59-year old Converse was an elite distance swimmer in the 1970s in the heyday of swimming at the University of Alabama under coach Don Gambril. He swam at the 1976 Summer Olympics representing the United States and finished 9th in the 400 free. He will forever hold a spot in history as the first swimmer to ever break the 15 minute barrier in the 1650 yard freestyle at the 1977 NCAA Championships. Many of Converse’s best successes at Air Force have been in those same distance freestyle events.
“Working for the athletes at the Air Force Academy, where the student’s guiding principles are integrity, service and excellence is the greatest honor of my life,” Converse said. “I deeply admire the cadets who accept both the challenge of the Academy and offer their service to the nation. My hat is off to those who take on the additional time and energy commitment of competing as Division I athletes.
“I so much appreciate John Clune and Micky King for giving me this opportunity so many years ago. It has been a privilege to have some measure of influence in the lives of young people who will go on to lead influential lives in the Air Force, the nation and in their own families. I have loved every minute of coaching the swimmers at the Air Force Academy. The energy and camaraderie of each team over the years is always unique. I know I will miss being a part of the day-to-day process of personal growth that occurs in young people during their cadet careers. Many thanks to Jim Knowlton, and my sport supervisors over the years, Associate Athletic Directors Marti Gasser and George Nelson.”
Current associate head coach Colleen Murphy will guide the team’s day-to-day activities after the NCAA Championships in March, though Air Force stopped short of annointing her the successor – saying that they’ll conduct a nationwide search.
Congratulations on a superb career. You are one of the truly great swimmer/coaches in swimming history. Enjoy your retirement.
Congratulations Casey! What an incredible career.
Casey is authentic. He has a set of standards that any athlete or parent of an athlete would flourish under his direction. Best of luck Casey, I miss seeing you walk through the neighborhood. You have always been a man of sound character with a true north. Be well
Congrats Casey! I’m up for some popcorn shrimp down on Bourbon Street!
The first man to go under 15:00 in the 1650 will witness the first women do the same and then retire. How can you not be romantic about swimming?!
Casey, You have been a great Coach, colleague, and friend. You have done so many wonderful things for the sport of Swimming as a coach and athlete. Air Force was lucky to have you as a Coach. Congrats on your retirement my friend.
Casey Converse is an awesome guy and had a very positive influence in our sport as both a very successful swimmer and also a very successful coach. I will miss him around the pool in the mountain west conference and wish him well in the next step of life!!