Tom Robinson (swim coach)

Thomas H. Robinson
Robinson in 1928 Northwestern Publication
Biographical details
BornAugust 18, 1882
Denmark
DiedAugust 11, 1958(1958-08-11) (aged 75)
Waukegan, Illinois
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1909-1944Northwestern University
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
10 Big 10 Championships including 1914-1919
6 NCAA Championships
7 water polo titles
3 water basketball championships
Awards
Northwestern U. Hall of Fame

Thomas H. Robinson (August 18, 1882 – August 11, 1958) served 35 years as Northwestern University's first swimming and diving coach from 1909 to 1944. During his coaching tenure, his teams won 10 Big Ten Conference Championships, and 6 NCAA Championships. With multiple responsibilities, his teams won seven water polo championships during his time at Northwestern, and he served briefly as basketball coach in 1919. He placed eleven of his swimmers, divers, and water polo players on Olympic teams, and was made a member of both the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1965 and the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCAA) Hall of Fame.

Robinson was born on August 18, 1882, in Denmark. He competed in the Central AAU Swimming Championship in the plunge for distance in late September 1906 while representing the Evanston YMCA.