Liam Donnelly, Head Coach of the varsity swimming and diving team, is retiring from SFU after 30 years of dedication to his sport and his student-athletes. He leaves a legacy of team and individual titles and national championships. 
 
Coach Donnelly began with the SFU varsity swim team in 1991 as an assistant coach and in 1992 was promoted to Head Coach. He coached SFU teams to 15 NAIA national team titles,

including 374 individual national titles (or 143 individual national champions) and 62 NAIA national championships records.
 
Coach Donnelly led the team in 2010 as it transitioned from the NAIA to the NCAA and became eligible for championships competition in 2013. SFU teams coached by Donnelly have qualified for 7 NCAA Division II National Championships, with a career top 10 team finish for both the men and women in 2019 and 2013 respectively. He has coached three NCAA individual champions, 42 All-Americans and 12 Scholar All-Americans. Under Coach Donnelly's guidance, SFU swimmers have gone on to represent Canada in World Championships, World University Games, the Pan American Games, and set 3 Canadian records.
 
"Thank you, Lorne Davies, for giving me the opportunity. And thank you to the student-athletes, colleagues, support staff, administrators and volunteers who have been part of our SFU swimming and diving family," says Coach Donnelly. "We have created an amazing team with a remarkable record and a legacy of commitment. I am especially proud of the passion and dedication instilled in our team that extends beyond their varsity days. SFU swimming and diving alumni are both the heart and backbone of our program. I am humbled and grateful for their ongoing support.  It has been a great honour to coach at SFU. Pride, passion and tradition."

We wish Coach Donnelly well in his retirement and thank him for his service to SFU.