Before we get into his swim coaching accomplishments, which are vast and Hall of Fame worthy, Doctor Maglischo’s research and writing is what sets him apart. Following Doc Counsilman’s book, The Science of Swimming. there was a void for the next 36 years. That major gap in the research and printed text was filled by Dr. Maglischo.
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In 1983, Maglischo authored Swimming Faster. As the great George Haines said, “There have been many swimming books written in recent years, but not have so elegantly illustrated the connections between theory and practice.”
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His next book in 1993, Swimming Even Faster, continued the magnificent learning trail for professional swim coaches.
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Maglischo finished the trilogy with the 2003 release of his 800-page magnum opus, Swimming Fastest.
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He has authored or co-authored more than 47 periodical publications. He is a man, a myth, and a legend that you all have to hear from and meet in person.
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Dr. Ernie Maglischo has coached swimming for 30 years on the college and agr group levels.
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Maglischo coached the Golden Grizzlies (then Pioneers) for two years, 1979-81, and led Oakland University of Michigan to its first national championship. That set the groundwork for the successes to follow.
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Oakland won its first NCAA Division II title in any sport under Maglischo in 1980, and placed second nationally the following year. Maglischo was also responsible for bringing two men to Rochester, Michigan, to continue the tradition he upheld in the swimming program. He brought in his former swimmer, Hovland, to be his assistant coach. Plus, he recruited three-time NCAA Division II Swimmer of the Year, Tracy Huth, (current Associate AD at OU) to Oakland.
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Maglischo’s incredible coaching career includes 13 national championships at three different institutions and six NCAA Division II Coach of the Year honors. He has authored three books on swimming and co-authored one on nutrition and three others on swimming computer programs. Maglischo was awarded the title of Master Coach by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America in 1978, and in 1987 he was presented with the Honor Award for outstanding contributions to aquatics by the AAHPERD.
In 1991 the CSCAA awarded Maglischo the National Collegiate and Scholastic Swimming Award, the highest of its kind in the United States.
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The Massillon, Ohio native was inducted into the Oakland University Hall of Honor in 1995. Prior to the OU Hall of Honor, he was also inducted into the
California-Chico Hall, the city of Chico Hall, the Massillon Washington High School Alumni Hall, the State University of New York at New Paltz Hall
and the Canton Ohio Swimming Hall of Fame.
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Maglischo graduated in 1960 from Ohio University with a degree in physical education and in 1961 with a masters in physical education from Bowling Green. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in physical education from Ohio State in 1974.
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Maglischo, after coaching 38 years, retired in 1998. Now he is returning to the coaching ranks after a five-year retirement. Most recently he guided Arizona State from 1993-98 and Cal State Bakersfield from 1983-93. After leaving Oakland in 1981, he returned for two seasons at Cal State Chico (1981-83). His first stint at Cal State Chico was from 1966-79. Other coaching stops included Ohio State (1965-66), State University College New Paltz (1963-65), Alpena High School (1962-63), Ohio Wesleyan (1961-62) and Bowling Green (1960-61).
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Maglischo’s established a career coaching record of 173-61 and his teams have won 13 NCAA Division II or Division III National Championships. His team have won NCAA championships at three different universities, making him the only coach ever to do so. Maglischo’s teams have also won 19 conference championships at three different universities.
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Throughout his storied career, Maglischo earned numerous honors — PAC-10 Coach of the Year in 1996, National Collegiate and Scholarship Swimming Award 1991, NCAA Division II Swimming Coach of the Year seven times between 1980 and 1993, Conference Coach of the Year 16 times between 1967 and 1992, Northern California College Swimming Coach of the Year five times from 1970-76.
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We are so honored to have Ernie Maglischo as an inductee in the class of 2021 ISCA Hall of Fame.
