2007 - Russ Yarworth - University of Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts men's water polo and swimming coach Russ Yarworth has given back to his alma mater and the Collegiate Water Polo Association in a Hall of Fame manner.

During his time as head coach of the men's water polo program from 1987-2001, Yarworth posted a 335-131 record, winning eight Eastern championships and four Eastern Coach of the Year awards (1993, 1995, 1998, 1999). In addition, he led the Minutemen to national success, advancing to the national championship tournament seven times, finishing third once (1999) and fourth on four occasions.

Although UMass eliminated the varsity water polo program in 2001, Yarworth has continued to be active and give back to the water polo community as he serves as a member of the CWPA Technical Committee to educate and evaluate the officials in the conference.

The head coach of the Massachusetts swimming and diving program for 28 seasons following the conclusion of the 2007 campaign, he is among the most successful coaches in the history of the sport as the Minutemen have captured 16 titles, including eight Atlantic 10 titles (1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) and eight consecutive New England championships from 1987 to 1994, while posting a 225-64 record.

In 2005, UMass won its fifth consecutive Atlantic 10 title breaking Pennsylvania State University’s record of four consecutive titles from 1983-87. The eight titles for UMass mark the most of any program in the league’s 23-years hosting swimming and diving championship meets.

 The third head coach of the UMass men’s swimming and diving team, Yarworth is the most successful coach in program history as his 225 wins account for more than half of the program’s 409 all-time victories entering the 2007 season.

Further, he has led the Minutemen to seven undefeated dual meet seasons, including a 10-0 record in 1997-98 and more recently a 6-0 record in 2004-05.

Due to his teams’ success, he was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

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.

Yarworth and his wife, Susan, reside in Belchertown, Massachusetts.