BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Tom Groden, who was the first-ever swimming and diving head coach at Boston College and coached the B.C. men’s varsity water polo team, died on June 26 at his home in Massachusetts. He was 77 years old.
A 1972 Boston College alumnus, he competed on the men’s soccer and water polo teams during his playing days and claimed Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors in water polo.
Following graduation, Groden started the school’s swimming and diving program. He served as the head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams for 45 years (1972-to-2016) in addition to also serving as head men’s water polo coach from 1972-to-1978.
Groden was born in Cambridge, Mass., on August 24, 1948. He spent most of his younger years at Lewis Farm in Walpole with his parents and fifteen siblings, attending Walpole High School before heading off to Boston College.
After receiving an undergraduate degree in teaching from the university, Groden stayed on as the head swimming and diving coach, pool director and water polo coach. He fostered his athletes’ success in and out of the pool, building lasting relationships with fellow coaches and former swimmers.
Groden was credited as being the reason for many of his swimmers’ continued love of the sport.
Groden resigned from his post at Boston College in December 2016 after racking up a total of 773 victories across both the men’s and women’s programs during his time at the helm. He was the first NCAA coach to record 300 wins with both a men’s and women’s program at the same institution.
Groden eventually returned to Lewis Farm with his wife, Sara, to raise their daughters. He is survived by Sara, his daughters Susan and Abigail, and his grandchildren Abigail and Henry, in addition to many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Mary’s Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 11:00 am. Immediately following the Mass, all are welcome to a celebration of life to be held at his home, 401 East Street, Walpole.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Tom’s name may be made to Swim Across America at 8508 Park Road #389, Charlotte, NC 28210 or by visiting www.swimacrossamerica.org, OR to the Schwarz Africa Fund by visiting https:// schwarzafricafund.org and selecting ‘Donate’.
