ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine Athletics Department was saddened to learn of the passing of legendary swimming and diving head coach, and University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Alan Switzer Jr.

"It is with profound sadness that I received the news of Al Switzer's recent passing," exclaimed Jeff Wren, who served as head women's swim coach and assistant men's coach under Switzer from 1971-90 before being named head coach of both programs in 1990.

"It cannot be overstated how much influence Al had on me personally but, more importantly, on University of Maine swimming and swimming in the state of Maine. He is the one who got it all started as he was hired as the first coach and aquatic director in the fall of 1971. From the very beginning, he set a tone of excellence, accountability, and class for everything that happened at Wallace Pool. Within a few short years, his men's team was the best in New England and my women's team followed that path short thereafter, building a legacy he established. He asked a lot, gave a lot, and produced notable results. Every current swimmer and diver should be thankful for the start that he provided for this program.

Switzer, who served as head coach of the UMaine swimming and diving program for 18 years from its inception, guided the team to a pair of New England Championship titles, the first coming in 1976, while compiling a record of 139-61 over his stint with the Black Bears. From 1979-84, UMaine competed in the Eastern Seaboard Swimming and Diving Championships and then competed in the Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Championships through 1989. Each year, the University of Maine swimming and diving program presents the 'Switzer Dedication' award in Alan Switzer's honor.

"He was clearly dedicated to his teams but he also had comparable passion for teaching all ages of swimming and water safety," Wren continued. "Athletic Director Harold Westerman, who hired Al, once told me that 'it is difficult to find a good athletics man who is a good physical education man'. Al Switzer was that man. Everything that happened at Wallace Pool had his stamp on it."

Switzer, who was inducted into the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, collected many honors for his hard work and dedication to coaching and mentoring his student-athletes. Along with his UMaine Sports Hall of Fame induction, Switzer earned a spot in the Maine Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame in 2015 and is recognized as a four-time recipient of the New England Women's Diving Coach of the Year, earning the accolade in 2003, 2004, 2017 and 2018.

"We could talk swimming forever," Wren said about his friend and mentor. "Our most recent talks were limited only by cell phone battery life. There are so many stories. Hearing as I am now from his former swimmers, I am assured that they will last forever."

-UMaine-