Coach Peter Accardy Will Receive the Richard E. Steadman Award Former Matador Swimming Coach to be Honored at the Upcoming CSCAA Convention

NORTHRIDGE, California, May 19. A number of the most accomplished coaches within the collegiate swimming community will be honored during the upcoming College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) convention, as former Cal State Northridge Matador Head Coach Peter Accardy will receive the Richard E. Steadman Award during the four-day long event.

This year's annual event will take place in Chicago, Illinois from May 21-24, at the Doubletree Miracle Mile hotel and the Northwestern University School of Law.

Given annually to a swimming or diving coach at either the high school, club, or university level, the Richard E. Steadman Award is presented to the individual who, in the opinion of the CSCAA has done the most to spread happiness in Coach Stedman's beloved sport of swimming and diving.

From the mid-1970's to mid-80s, Accardy's Northridge teams dominated the Division II level. His men won nine NCAA team crowns, including five in a row from 1981-85, while his women took four Division II titles, giving Accardy a record 13 national team titles.

As the coach of both the men's and women's swim teams, Accardy accrued an overall recorded winning percentage of .706 (199-83) including three undefeated seasons, and became the first coach in NCAA history to win national championships in the same season in two sports in 1982.

With Accardy leading the program, the Matador men claimed every conference title in the 1970's, and the women claimed each conference championship between 1986 and 1991.

For his successes earned during his tenure at Cal State Northridge, the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Coach of the Decade (the 1980's) was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

"He was a mentor, provided guidance for all of us, and wanted us all to succeed both inside and out of the pool," stated Susan Clemmer, one of a number of swimmers under Accardy's tutelage who competed at the U.S. Nationals.

"My success as a swimmer at Northridge is based upon his knowledge of the sport, and his knowledge of people; sometimes coaches would group individuals in with a bunch of swimmers, but he would get to know each person and see what technique would fit everyone the best."

"Coach was always upbeat, and as a swimmer I always knew that he cared about all of his athletes," stated Jeff Kubiak, a recent inductee of the Cal State Northridge Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments during Accardy's tenure.

"It was an honor to train and compete for him. He loved swimming, and everything he did grew from that love for the sport," stated the two-time NCAA Swimmer of the Year.

As a testament to his influence in both the men's and women's swim programs, the Pete Accardy Award is presented annually to one swimmer from each program that best embodies the legendary coach's spirit of competition and teamwork.

Other award winners who will be recognized during the four-day event include Frank Keefe, the Head Coach at Yale University who is the winner of The Collegiate and Scholastic Trophy, the highest award of its kind in the United States, Richard Quick, Auburn University Head Coach, who will receive the first-ever Speedo/CSCAA Lifetime Achievement Award and Sue Peterson Lubow, Athletic Director at the US Merchant Marine Academy who will receive the Daktronics/CSCAA Ben Franklin Award as the individual whose efforts best promotes the integrity and enhancement of student-athletes.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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