Former Rowan University head swimming coach Tony Lisa, who retired in 2014 after 35 years of coaching, has died according to a Facebook post by the school’s athletic department on Thursday.
Chris Hansen, who swam for Lisa at Rowan University (then Glassboro State College) in the 1980s and is currently the head coach at CSUB, said that his former coach made him love the sport of swimming.
“I am saddened that the sport of swimming lost a true icon,” Hansen said. “I was fortunate enough to swim for Tony Lisa while attending Glassboro State College (Rowan University). Tony truly made me love the sport of swimming. He was a genius at not only coaching but at making sure every student athlete that left his program gained true life experiences! Tony Lisa is the reason I am a coach today. We had many conversations about swimming, coaching and life over the past 28 years, which I will greatly miss. Rest in peace my friend.”
No service arrangements have been announced yet.
Tony Lisa’s Bio, Courtesy Rowan Athletics:
He finished his career with a combined won-loss record of 469-155-1 and a 75.1 winning percentage. Lisa compiled a 265-90-1 mark as the men’s coach in 35 seasons. As the women’s coach, he had a 204-65 record for 26 campaigns. In his last season, the men’s team finished 10-1 overall and the women had a 9-2 mark.
“I am excited for our team and the university with the prospect of bringing in a new young coach,” continued Lisa. “The team is very strong and will compete well for championships next year. Watching the new coach take this team to a higher level will bring a big smile to my face.”
Lisa had two coaching stints with the Profs. He returned to the University in 2009-2010 after two years as an assistant swim coach and recruiting coordinator at the U.S. Military Academy. Previously, he had coached at Rowan for 30 years.
“I am so appreciative of those who hired me as a professor, Coach Richard Wackar and Mickey Briglia, and then told me that I was the swim coach,” commented Lisa. “Even though I had never swam or even been to a swim meet. I am thankful that my colleagues at Rowan have always been so supportive of my team, family and me. In addition, I am thankful that the parents sent their children here and allowed me to coach them.”
In 2003, Lisa received the Richard E. Steadman Award from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). He was the 12th recipient of the award. The Richard E. Steadman Award is conferred annually to a swimming or diving coach in high school, club or university ranks who, in the opinion of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. and the CSCAA Forum, has done the most to spread joy and happiness in swimming and diving. Lisa was the assistant coach for the silver medal winning World All-Stars at the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. He was also the assistant coach for the World All-Stars at the 2001 World Sprint Cup.
The women’s team captured nine consecutive New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) titles from 1991 to 1999. Lisa was named the NJAC Women’s Coach of the Year four consecutive times from 1994 to 1997. He was also selected Women’s Coach of the Year at the 1998 Metropolitan Championships.
Lisa guided three athletes to NCAA Division III Championships, Teri Hatcher in the women’s 100 breaststroke (1:06.07 in 1994, 1:05.85 in 1996), Craig Naylor in the men’s 400 individual medley (4:01.52 in 1992) and Christie Raleigh in the women’s 100 freestyle (49.94 in 2012). The women recorded seventh place finishes at the NCAA Championships in 1995 and 1996, while the men were ninth in 1992 and 1996. His teams are recognized annually on the Academic All-America squads.
Lisa is a past president of the CSCAA, which includes all swim teams from NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and junior colleges. He served as the organization’s president from 1998-2001. Prior to the position, he was a member of the CSCAA board of directors.
In addition, Lisa is a member of the Gloucester County and Salem County Sports Hall of Fames. He graduated from Glassboro State College, now Rowan University, in 1975 and later received his master’s in 1978. Lisa was a goalkeeper on the Profs’ soccer team for three years. He is a 1966 graduate of Pennsville Memorial High School.
Tony was a great Coach, husband, father, and friend. His smile and humor were contagious. He will be missed by so many. Jim Richardson said it so well. Tony exemplified a great leader at Rowan, College, and USA Swimming, A difference maker in so may lives.
Incredibly sad news – Tony was such an amazing person, the kind of individual that inspires you to be better. A relentlessly positive personality, had the uncanny ability to be the center of attention but made every person in the room feel important. Just an incredible influence on so many, he made an incredible impact on me and so many others. RIP Tony, you will not soon be forgotten
Tony LIsa was a coach who literally went the “extra mile” for his coaching colleagues. When North Central College coach Dennis Ryan suffered a career ending stroke, Tony found the time to make a trek from New Jersey to Illinois to spend time encouraging Dennis in his paralysis.
Tony was always a gentleman and greeted you with a smile. He will truly be missed. My sincere condolences to the Lisa family.
Tony was one of those guys who seemed to never have a bad day and always made you feel like you were having a good day. A rare gift in a man and coach. RIP Coach Tony!
Memories of Tony & GSC swimming…My heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Lisa family.
Gerry Falconer GSC Swimming ’77-’81
RIP Tony Lisa, what a wonderful human being! The world and the swimming community will miss you. Thank you for all you have done for my family over the last 48+ years we have had the honor to know you and your family.
Tony had a way of making everyone he interacted with feel like they were incredible. He always greeted me with a smile and a warm hug in the few years I got to know him. I’ll never forget working swim camps where he had an entire table in tears of laughter…and for a week straight. Thanks Tony — You will be greatly missed in the swimming community.