Eric Rasmussen Jr. Named Head Coach of Manhattan Swimming and Diving Programs
Eric Rasmussen Jr. was named the head coach of Manhattan College’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs on Monday.
Rasmussen was a volunteer assistant for the Jaspers. He spent three seasons as the head coach and aquatics director at York College in Pennsylvania.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I want to thank the college administration for bringing me on board,” Rasmussen Jr. said in a university statement. “After many years coaching in the MAAC, I’m well aware of the outstanding academic reputation of Manhattan College The opportunity to lead these amazing young men and women in their athletic pursuits is truly a special one.”
Rasmussen has a long history as a coach, starting as a graduate assistant at the University of Texas, helping the Longhorns win the 1990 and 1991 NCAA titles. The Ithaca College grad was the head coach at Manhattan’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference rival St. Peter’s from 1994-2002, mentoring 11 MAAC champs. In 2005, he took over as the head coach of NJIT’s men’s and women’s teams, guiding the program’s transition to the Division I level.
Rasmussen served as an assistant at Manhattan from 2010-13 before going off to York.
“We are happy to welcome Eric back to Manhattan College,” Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Marianne Reilly said. “He comes to campus with a level of coaching experience, which will benefit the student-athletes in our program.”