BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Former University of Massachusetts water polo and swimming head coach Russ Yarworth joins Pam Moryl (Field Hockey/Women’s Lacrosse; 1981-85), Liam Coen (Football; 2004-08), and the 1982 NCAA National Championship Women’s Lacrosse Team as the UMass Athletics George “Trigger” Burke Hall of Fame Class of 2022 inductees.
The UMass Athletics George “Trigger” Burke Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, September 16 at 6 p.m. at the Campus Center Auditorium. Please register online at www.umassalumni.com/hof2022. Questions regarding the event can be addressed to Director of Special Events & Constituent Relations Jason Germain at jag@umass.edu.
Russ Yarworth • Swimming & Diving/Water Polo • Coach • 1979-2020
Just the third coach of the UMass men’s swimming and diving team, Yarworth is the most successful coach in the program’s storied history. His 284 wins account for more than half of the program’s 463 all-time victories. With team success comes individual recognition, and Yarworth has been honored for his efforts at UMass 14 times when he was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2016. His 14 Coach of the Year awards are the most in A-10 history in any sport.
Yarworth was also the leader of the UMass water polo team for 15 years. During his time as head coach from 1987-2001, Yarworth posted a 335-131 record, winning seven Eastern Championships. The success earned Yarworth the Eastern Coach of the Year award four times (1993, 1995, 1998, 1999). Yarworth also led his team to national success, advancing to the NCAA Tournament seven times during his coaching tenure, finishing third once (1999) and fourth on four occasions.
During his time, UMass tallied 16 Atlantic 10 Championships, eight New England Championships, seven undefeated Dual-Meet Seasons and notched eight Eastern Championships in water polo.
A 1978 graduate of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, Yarworth earned his master’s degree in exercise science from UMass in 1984. As an undergraduate at Massachusetts, he was a four-year member of both the Minutemen swimming and water polo teams, serving as captain of both squads during his senior year. The 1977 and 1978 swim team’s MVP, he received All-New England honors twice in water polo and was a starter on the East team at the 1982 Olympic Festival.
Information courtesy the University of Massachusetts Athletics Communications
Collegiate Water Polo Association Hall of Fame members Luis Nicolao, Mike Schofield, Russ Yarworth and KAP7 co-founder/Olympian Wolf Wigo
Russ Yarworth
