Few coaches have the opportunity to spend their entire career at one school and even fewer have the opportunity to do so at their alma mater. It can be argued, however, that only one can claim to be a friend to every member of the coaching community and that person - Dan Ross - has been selected as the 2022 Richard E. Steadman Award Winner for doing the most to spread happiness in the sport of swimming and diving. Ross was selected by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association’s (CSCAA) Board of Directors and will be recognized at the 61st Annual CSCAA College Swimming & Diving Awards on May 2nd, in Rosemont, Illinois.

Ross came to Purdue in 1977 as a walk-on.  After graduation he spent four more years as an assistant before becoming head coach in 1985.  Since that time, Ross has been recognized by his peers as Big Ten Coach of the Year in three different decades and has helped the Boilermakers to Top 25 finishes in thirteen of the past sixteen seasons.. Upon completion of the 2021-22 season, Ross had accumulated 207 dual-meet wins, fourth most in Big Ten history.

Ross’ impact has been felt at the grassroots level as well. He has been one of the most active members of the CSCAA Mentoring Program.  As Fresno State head coach Jeanne Fleck noted in her nomination, “He helps everyone, including other coaches, and would go out of his way to make you feel welcome and important.”  Michigan State’s Matt Gianiodis agreed, writing that “Dan is the most positive person I have ever met. He cares first and foremost about the sport. He has happiness and pride in his team excelling, but he also feels the same way about rivals. His attitude is infectious and he is the perfect person for this award.”

Other nominees for this years award included Sean Peters (Wayne State University), Jimmy Tierney (McKendree University), James Halliburton (Saint Louis), and Max Obermiller (Sewanee).

Previous Selections

2020 - Mike Rawleigh, Gettysburg College
2019 - Barbara Jahn, UC-Davis
2018 - Cliff Devries, Rochester Institute of Technology
2017 - Casey Converse, Air Force Academy
2016 - Erin Hurley, Grinnell College
2015 - C. Rob Orr, Princeton University
2014 - Wally Morton, Cleveland State
2013 - Nancy Bigelow, Tufts University
2012 - George Kennedy, Johns Hopkins
2011 - Harvey Humphries, Georgia
2010 - Jean Freeman, Minnesota
2009 - Peter Accardy, Cal State Northridge
2008 - Jim Richardson, Michigan, Cathy Wright-Eger, Purdue
2007 - Jim Ellis, Philadelphia Dept. of Rec
2006 - Bob Pearson, Macalester College
2005 - Anne Goodman James, Arkansas
2004 - Paula Miller, Ithaca College
2003 - Tony Lisa, Rowan University
2002 - Bob Groseth, Northwestern
2001 - John Mattos, Colorado State
2000 - David Hauck, St. Olaf
1999 - Bill Miller, Clarion University
1998 - Don Gambril, Alabama
1997 - Susan Bassett, William Smith
1996 - Bill Campbell, Maryland
1995 - Archie Harris, Illinois State
1994 - Charlie Butt, Bowdoin College
1993 - Tim Welsh, Notre Dame
1992 - Donald R. Megerle, Tufts University