After more than three decades leading the Schroeder YMCA Swim & Dive Team, Dave Anderson is retiring as the 2024-25 season nears its conclusion.
Anderson, 61, first took over the reins at Schroeder YMCA in 1995, and has led the club to new heights throughout his 30-plus seasons, including winning YMCA National Coach of the Year in 1996, 2007 and 2013.
He notably coached Ziyad Saleem to an Olympic appearance for Sudan at the 2024 Games in Paris, and he’s also coached a Paralympian, a U.S. Olympic triathlete, 32 Olympic Trials qualifiers and three Olympic Trials finalists throughout his career.
After over three decades at Schroeder and four decades of coaching, Anderson told SwimSwam that retirement has been something he’s had on his mind for the last few years, but he wanted to ensure he left the team in a good place.
“Currently, the whole Schroeder enterprise is the strongest it’s ever been,” Anderson said. “Culturally, the organization is super solid. We have the best coaching staff in our history, the facility is in very good shape, our financial position is strong and athletic achievement is at an all time high.
“For the last few years, I have been thinking about how best to transition to the period after I depart so that both the programs and the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center have the best chance to thrive and grow.”
Anderson said he considered bringing in someone new to take over his role overseeing the club, and he and the WSAC, Ltd. (Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center) Board of Directors also discussed promoting someone internally for the position.
However, they ultimately decided this wasn’t in the best interest of the club.
“After careful consideration, we have settled on the following transition: I will stay for the foreseeable future to direct the non-profit WSAC, Ltd,” Anderson said. “Todd Hill will lead the Schroeder YMCA Dive Team and a group of three coaches will lead the Schroeder YMCA Swim Team – Caleb Hernday, Chandler Lewis and Phil Davies.”
Hernday is currently in his seventh year at Schroeder and leads the Age Group 1 and Junior 1 squads at the WSAC, while Lewis has been with the team for 11 seasons and coaches the age group squads at the Ramirez Aquatic Center. Davies is in his fourth year with the team and coaches the junior and senior teams at the Ramirez Aquatic Center.
Hill has had a long tenure at Schroeder, serving as the head diving coach since the fall of 2003 after starting as an assistant in 2000.
“We feel strongly that this new format will give all three entities the best chance to not only survive but thrive.”
Schroeder was recognized as a Silver Medal Club in USA Swimming’s Club Excellence Program for 2025, and recently sent four swimmers, Alana Berlin, Maggie Dickinson, Sam Lorenz and Ethan Schutten, to the 2025 U.S. National Championships.
Speaking on his coaching experience prior to Schroeder, Anderson said: “Before coming to Schroeder, I had started coaching after finishing my undergrad in Pennsylvania with my high school coach Jim Schulte. I spent two years at the University of Nebraska as a Graduate Assistant with Cal Bentz and Rick Paine, and I helped Rick with the club team, Nebraska Aquatics.
“In 1989, I got lucky and got the assistant job with Dennis Dale at the University of Minnesota just as the then-new pool came online. After six good years coaching at UMN and some club as well, I moved to Milwaukee, which is where my wife was raised and was working and got the Schroeder job.”
He continued: “One of the most personally rewarding pieces recently is that I have been coaching the children of my former swimmers. It is just a hoot. Also, I really enjoy trying to stay connected with all of the families and athletes who have passed through this program.”
Anderson’s lengthy resume includes being a part of the USA National Team and Junior National Team coaching staff, serving as the head coach of the Southern Zone Select Camp, and leading Schroeder to a combined YMCA national team title in 1997, winning the women’s team title in 1999, and claiming the combined team crown at the 2021 YMCA Swim Festival. In the last two years, he’s propelled the team to a YMCA men’s national team title in 2024 and the women’s team title in 2025. He also won YMCA Nationals Coach of the Meet honors in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“This is the final chapter in my life’s work,” Anderson said. “I have full trust and confidence in the people who will be leading the programs beginning this fall. They have demonstrated time and time again personal growth, caring, and competence. I am truly optimistic that this next chapter is well on its way.”
Congratulations, Dave! More time to enjoy some R&R and some good bike rides every now and then!
I have admired Dave since I was working with him as a Grad Assistant for the Aquatics Program back in 1990-91. He was such a positive and motivating force! Congrats and best of luck to a club coaching icon.
I thought he would’ve been a great coach to lead Marquette University. Direct connection to Milwaukee area and access to Schroeder facility for the bigger meets.
Congratulations Dave on a great career both at Minnesota and Schroeder. Best of luck in your retirement. May Schroeder continue the success that you have achieved and laid the groundwork for it’s future
Class act and a VERY great coach!
CONGRATULATIONS on a GREAT Career!!! Now you can focus on beating Dennis at Golf!!
Congratulations to Dave! Dave, like Schroeder, is an icon. Dave has achieved success in numerous ways while at the helm of Schroeder. What most coaches do not know is that Schroeder has a lesson program accessible to all. He has facilitated the rehabilitation of the aquatic center through public and private funding. That facility is accessible to all economic levels through Dave’s collaboration with different parties. His coaching philosophy and style has continuously evolved through the years and one thing that has been constant is his connection with the athletes. His relationships are so strong that his alumni keep coming back. They return to coach, volunteer and give back to the community he has fostered. When you see him, give… Read more »