POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Director of Aquatics and head swimming and diving coach Larry VanWagner has been selected, by a consensus of a selection committee, for induction into the 2013 Dutchess County Sports Museum Hall of Fame.

VanWagner has been coaching at Marist since 1978, where he has seen phenomenal success. In Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) competition, he has earned 26 swimming and diving team championships, 140 individual swimming champions, 13 swimming athlete of the year awards, and earned five swimming coach of the year awards. In MAAC dual meets, he is 83-15 with the men and 50-5 with the women, giving VanWagner a combined winning percentage of 86.9. He has also coached 84 All-MAAC academic team members.

In Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) competition, VanWagner has two swimming and diving team championships, 21 individual swimming champions, one swimming athlete of the meet award in 2007, and three swimming coach of the meet awards in 2005, 2006, and 2010.

In Metropolitan Swimming and Diving Conference (MSDC) contests, he has earned two championships, 41 individual men's swimming champions, and earned two swimming coach of the year awards.

VanWagner's overall dual meet record is 314-156, 80-32 on the women's side and 234-124 with the men. He has also coached one United States swimming Olympic trials qualifier in 2012. Overall, ten swimmers have been honored with Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

Aside from his Marist coaching experience, VanWagner is also involved with the Marist swim club, where he has seen six FINA World Swimming Top 100 Rankings, 11 United States Swimming Olympic trails qualifiers, one Olympic Sports Festival champion, 16 United States Swimming National Championship qualifiers, 56 United States Swimming Junior National championship qualifiers, six United States Swimming Junior National champions, two United States Swimming National Junior team members, 96 Empire State Games champions, six New York State high school swimming champions, and 148 Metropolitan Junior Olympic swimming champions.

VanWager graduated with his Bachelors of Science in Physical Education K-12 Teaching and a graduate degree in athletic administration from Springfield College in 1975. During his time as an undergraduate, he was a member of the varsity swimming team, captain from 1973-1974, New England Champion in 1973 in the 400 yard freestyle relay and the 800 yard freestyle relay, and an NCAA College Division All-American. While working on his graduate degree, he served as the graduate assistant and coach of the varsity swimming team.

In 1977, the Sports Museum of Dutchess County initiated a Hall of Fame where active sports-oriented people could be recognized for their contributions to sports. The inductees are given special plaques to commemorate the occasion of their induction and are awarded Life Memberships in the organization.

Become a fan of Marist Athletics on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

-GoRedFoxes.com-