Dave Hanson
Bishop Hendricken High School
Impact Statement
Hanson is one of the most decorated swimming coaches. He has led Bishop Hendricken to 32 State Team titles.
Biography
Hanson created the Bishop Hendricken swim team as a club sport in 1978. Three years later, the now-varsity Hawks claimed the first of 26 state team titles under Hanson’s direction.
In February, Hendricken won its 23rd consecutive state title – the nation’s longest active streak – and also owns two New England titles and four runner-up finishes. Among Hanson’s many awards: the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) David H. Robertson Excellence in Coaching Award in 2006 and the NISCA Outstanding Service Award in 2010.
He has served in every swimming leadership capacity in Rhode Island, including two terms as president of the Rhode Island Swim Coaches Association and its treasurer since 2000, and president and member of the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1992.
He was named Boys Coach of the Year by the Rhode Island Athletic Administrators Association in 1995, and received the Larry Gallogly Humanitarian Award from the Providence Gridiron Club in 1998. Hanson has earned three STOYKO Awards for sportsmanship from the Rhode Island Swim Officials Association, which also presented him with the Joseph L. Tracey Memorial Award for contributions to swimming in 1999. The Providence Journal named Hanson one of the 100 most significant people in Rhode Island high school sports in the 20th century.
Since being honored, Hanson continues to lead Bishop Hendricken to success. The teams have won the state title the past five seasons from 2015 until 2020. In addition, they won the 2013 State title, which was their 24th straight.
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