Courtesy: Peter Solomon
Friends, colleagues, former swimmers, and Tufts Marathon Team runners came together on January 30 to celebrate the 79th birthday of one of the finest and most influential individuals to ever grace a pool deck, Don Megerle. “Coach” Megerle is best known for his 33-year tenure as the Head Coach of the Tufts University men’s swimming team from 1971 to 2004.
Don earned numerous accolades as a swim coach during his tenure at Tufts University, including seven New England and NESCAC Coach-of-the-Year awards, coaching 92 All-Americans, and two NCAA Div. III National Champions.
He was the first recipient of the Dick Steadman Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame, was named Tufts’ first “Master Coach,” and in 2007 received the highest honor from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, the Collegiate & Scholastic Trophy. He was later recognized as one of the 100 Greatest Swimming & Diving Coaches of the Past 100 Years. During his coaching tenure, Don also became widely respected as one of the nation’s best NCAA Championship Meet Coordinators having orchestrated 32 NCAA Division I Men’s Championships, 28 NCAA Division III Men’s meets, and 22 NCAA Division III Women’s events.
After his retirement from coaching swimming, Don continued his coaching legacy as Director of the Tufts Marathon Team, helping more than 2,700 runners finish the Boston Marathon while raising over $7 million for the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition. His influence extends far beyond athletics—he has remained a mentor, family figure, and friend to generations of athletes, serving as an usher in many weddings and a godfather to several children.
Beloved for his generosity, humor, and dedication to bringing joy to others, Don Megerle exemplifies the true meaning of a coach and mentor, making his induction into the Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame a celebration of both his achievements and his lasting human impact that he has made in the Tufts community.
As a present for his 79th birthday, one of Don’s former runners, David Branker, shared a song that he created for coach. It captures the gracious sentiment that we all have for Coach Megerle.
As part of the celebration of his 79th birthday, one of Don’s former runners, David Branker, shared a song he wrote in Megerle’s honor—a fitting tribute that captures the gratitude and affection so many feel for the man they proudly call “Coach.”
Listen to the song below:
How did I miss this 😭😭
No one like you, Don….You’re a Superstar
His accomplishments, as significant as one could hope, pale to his fierce friendship he offers to everyone. So blessed to call him a friend for decades.
Congratulations Don and would that you had 79 more years to offer your athletes!
Coach is “One of the Greats” in every respect. Congratulations Don!
OMG tears streaming down my cheeks! What an incredible tribute to one of my favorite human beings!
A great guy