Kevin Markwardt is in his 22nd season as head coach of Ithaca’s men’s swimming and diving team and in his 28th season with the staff (he spent his first six seasons as an assistant). Markwardt has the program’s most wins, entering the 2008-09 season with a 243-61 record.
In 2004 season he received UNYSCSA Coach of the Year honors after the Bombers broke seven school records and earned their third state title in four seasons. Ithaca won its first UNYSCSA title in 2000-01 and repeated as state champions the following year. In 2004 Markwardt was named conference coach of the year last season after leading Ithaca to its third Empire 8 title.The Bombers’ last eight conference titles have come during his career, and they have finished in the top five 19 of his 21 years at the UNYSCSA championship. During his tenure, Markwardt has coached 23 all-American swimmers.
Markwardt has been active with two of the state’s largest swimming organizations. He is the past president of the Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association and was closely involved with the Empire State Games (ESG). Markwardt was the swimming chairman for the central region of the ESG for 10 years and served as state chair four years.
Markwardt received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cortland, where he earned all-American honors in both swimming and track & field. He resides in Ithaca with his wife, Laurie, their sons, Kyle and Jakob, and daughter Kayla.
