By Julian Markese
Sports Editor
The swimming and diving teams competed with heavy hearts this weekend. For the first time in almost thirty years, they were without their beloved coach, Tim Quill, who died last week.
The women won their sixth straight NE10 championship. The men finished fourth. Molly Kennedy, a junior, broke the NE10 record in the 100 freestyle and won gold. Diver Elliott Speckhard, a sophomore, won a silver medal in the 100 meter dive.
The immense success of the university’s swim program is credited to Quill.
“For nearly three decades, Tim devoted his life to the sport he loved and to the students he mentored. He built one of the most successful athletic programs in Southern Connecticut State University history and in the Northeast-10 Conference,” Interim President Sandra Bulmer said in a statement released to the university community.
During Quill’s 28-year tenure, he led the women’s and men’s teams to 17 NE10 titles each. He was also a mentor for young swimmers. He coached the SoNoCo Swim Club and the Cheshire YMCA swim team.
Natalie Starling, an associate professor in the Psychology Department, learned from Quill when she was in high school. She spoke about the impact Quill had on her.
“His lessons beyond the pool have had a profound impact on my path in life, and I’m incredibly grateful for those memories. His coaching was grounded in perseverance, teamwork and leadership which have shaped my lifelong professional development and helped me give back to the Southern community,” Starling said.
Starling’s experience with Quill is a small snapshot of the footprint he left.
“Mine is only one of many stories of Coach Quill’s impact. He is and will continue to be greatly missed as a shining star of Southern’s legacy,” Starling said.
Quill coached 121 National American Swimmers. He graduated Alfred University in 1989, where he was a four-time All American swimmer himself.
Quill’s influence cannot be measured. The university’s community is heartbroken and in shock.
The athletes on the swimming and diving teams continued to compete despite their loss. They are an embodiment of what Tim Quill’s legacy will be at the university.
“His commitment, his steadiness and his genuine care for our student-athletes made him a pillar of this community. Tim’s legacy is one of service, mentorship and heart. We honor his life, his work and the profound mark he left on every student he coached,” Athletic Director Terrance Jones said in a statement released by the Athletic Department.
Quill is survived by his wife, Brenda, and children Lilianna and Timothy. Both Lilianna and Timothy are students at the university. He was 58 years old.
“In moments like these, I am deeply grateful for our caring, close-knit university community. Counseling and support services will be available to students, faculty and staff in the coming days,” Bulmer said.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
