Robert J. H. Kiphuth
Encyclopedia
Robert John Herman Kiphuth (November 17, 1890 – January 7, 1967) was born in Tonawanda, New York
and is best known for his 42-year career as head coach of the Yale University
men's swim team, from 1917-1959. During his tenure with Bulldogs swimming and diving, he amassed a record of 528 wins to only 12 losses, along with 4 NCAA titles (1942, 1944, 1951, 1953), earning him a reputation for being the winningest coach in history.
Kiphuth also served as the head coach for multiple U.S. Olympic swimming teams (both men and women, depending on the year). For a few years near the end of his career, he doubled as Yale's Athletic Director, a job he eventually left to return his focus to coaching. He was largely responsible for the modern sport of swimming, which he shaped by introducing such innovations (now standard practices) as dryland workouts and interval training.
From 1951-1961, Kiphuth was the publisher of Swimming World
magazine.
Kiphuth was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
by President Lyndon Johnson on December 6, 1963. He had been chosen to receive the award by President John F. Kennedy
. (President Kennedy also received the Medal of Freedom, posthumously, at the same ceremony.
Tonawanda (town), New York
Tonawanda is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 78,155. The town is at the north border of the county and is the northern suburb of Buffalo...
and is best known for his 42-year career as head coach of the Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
men's swim team, from 1917-1959. During his tenure with Bulldogs swimming and diving, he amassed a record of 528 wins to only 12 losses, along with 4 NCAA titles (1942, 1944, 1951, 1953), earning him a reputation for being the winningest coach in history.
Kiphuth also served as the head coach for multiple U.S. Olympic swimming teams (both men and women, depending on the year). For a few years near the end of his career, he doubled as Yale's Athletic Director, a job he eventually left to return his focus to coaching. He was largely responsible for the modern sport of swimming, which he shaped by introducing such innovations (now standard practices) as dryland workouts and interval training.
From 1951-1961, Kiphuth was the publisher of Swimming World
Swimming World magazine
Swimming World Magazine is an American-based monthly swimming magazine, that was first published in a magazine format as Junior Swimmer in January of 1960...
magazine.
Kiphuth was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
by President Lyndon Johnson on December 6, 1963. He had been chosen to receive the award by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. (President Kennedy also received the Medal of Freedom, posthumously, at the same ceremony.