Courtesy: Gallaudet Athletics
WASHINGTON – Gallaudet University men’s and women’s swimming and diving head coach Larry Curran has stepped down from his post as announced today by Athletic Director Victor Mansure.
Curran, who has been with the GU swimming program for the last nine seasons, served as the head coach for the last eight seasons. He served as an assistant coach during the 2011-12 season.
In eight seasons, Curran led teams have won two North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) men’s championship (2013-14, 2019-20) and the men’s and women’s programs have earned 121 All-NEAC honors.
“The Gallaudet Athletics Department and our men’s and women’s swimming and diving program is forever grateful to Coach Larry for his outstanding leadership and service,” said Mansure. “His honesty, passion and work ethic are truly inspiring. We are very appreciative of how Coach Larry constantly empowered the student-athletes and coaching staff, established building blocks for us to continue his legacy in promoting inclusion, mental health, academic success and competitive performance. Coach Larry will be missed!”
In his last season at the helm, Curran guided the Bison men’s swimming team to its fourth NEAC championship and took home his second NEAC Men’s Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year honor (2017-18, 2019-20). Curran was selected as the 2019-20 NEAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year at the end of the conference championship for the second time in his career (2013-14, 2019-20). Curran has coached the NEAC’s three-time Men’s Swimmer of the Year in Ben Sealts (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20).
“In over 50 years of coaching swimmers in many locations, my nine years at Gallaudet has been the most rewarding,” said Curran. “I have truly enjoyed being part of the Gallaudet community committed to inspiring outstanding student-athletes in their athletic and personal development.”
Curran was presented the Bison Service Award during the Athletic Department’s virtual Sports Banquet held on May 12.
Curran was instrumental in leading the charge, alongside women’s swimming student-athlete Faye Frez-Albrecht, to get the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel to permit the use of lights or a lighting system, in addition to hand signals, used for the start of races. The lights or lighting system can be used to mimic the audio commands of the referee. The lights or lighting system must be fully integrated with the existing automatic timing system. The change took place at the start of the 2017-18 academic year.
That work led to national media coverage by the USA Today and the Washington Post to pen articles about the ruling and the light system during the Summer of 2017.
Gallaudet used Reaction Light Systems (RLS) during practices and meets. The lighting system made its official debut at the 2017 NEAC Swimming and Diving Championship at Cazenovia College. Curran also introduced a projected PowerPoint display for home meets to alert all swimmers of events to create an equal-access environment for swimmers, coaches, officials and fans.
Curran was also active in USA Deaf Swimming as he served as one of Team USA’s coaches at the 2015 World Deaf Swimming Championships in San Antonio.
I had the privilege to meet and compete against Larry early in my coaching career. He was always a class act. He is one of the most genuine, caring, and passionate coaches I’ve known. His push for a more inclusive environment for all swimmers is what I will remember most. Best of luck to him in whatever comes next!