The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) announced the CSCAA Division III Hall of Fame Class of 2025, recognizing the exceptional achievements and contributions of NCAA Division III swimmers, divers, and coaches.
This year's Hall of Fame class includes twenty distinguished individuals, including Tufts coach Nancy Bigelow, whose remarkable achievements and lasting impact have shaped the landscape of collegiate swimming and diving. Bigelow is the second Tufts coach to enter the CSCAA Division III Hall of Fame, joining Don Megerle (2024 inductee), and is the 11th individual from the NESCAC to be inducted. The CSCAA Division III Hall of Fame was established in 2023 and its first class was inducted in 2024.
Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA, highlighted the importance of this honor: "Congratulations to the Division III Hall of Fame Class of 2025! This Hall of Fame celebrates the extraordinary careers of swimmers, divers, and coaches who have left a lasting legacy in Division III collegiate swimming and diving. These inductees are being celebrated not only for their athletic excellence but also for their enduring contributions to the sport, their teams, and their institutions."
Graduating in 1975 as a swimmer at Penn State, Bigelow was hired as the Fencing and Volleyball Head Coach at Wellesley College, and soon took over as Swimming Head Coach. Hired as Tufts Women's Swimming Head Coach in 1982, she quickly helped establish the Jumbos as a force in the region, winning New England Championships in 1986, 1987, and 1989 and placing in the Top 10 of NCAA Division III Championships three times. Her teams posted an outstanding .692 winning percentage during her 33 seasons.
During her tenure at Tufts, Bigelow coached 44 All-Americans and 18 New England/NESCAC Champions. Dozens of team members received CSCAA Academic All-America recognition. Bigelow herself has been honored many times including the CSCAA Honoree for the 2013 Steadman Award and the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award and earned the Conference Coach of the Year Award five times.
She has served the Division well over the years including her work on the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships/Rules Committee (Chair in 2010-11) and has served on the CSCAA Board as well.
In 2015 Bigelow stepped down as women's head coach but continued to work with the combined teams as Associate Head Coach. In 2018 she capped her career by helping the Tufts men's team win its first-ever NESCAC title.
The induction ceremony will occur on May 5, 2025, at the CSCAA Annual Awards Celebration at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Awards Celebration will also honor the accomplishments of teams and individuals from the 2024-25 collegiate season, as well as the five CSCAA major awards presented annually.
The CSCAA warmly invites its members, fans, and supporters to join in celebrating the 2025 Division III Hall of Fame Class. Together, we will honor these extraordinary individuals and their legacies, inspiring future generations in swimming and diving.
NESCAC Members in the CSCAA Division III Hall of Fame
2025 - Nancy Bigelow, Tufts
2024 - Charles Butt, Bowdoin
2024 - Elizabeth Jex, Williams
2024 - Don Megerle, Tufts
2024 - Nick Nicholas, Amherst
2024 - Lindsay Payne, Williams
2024 - Carl Samuelson, Williams
2024 - Brittany Sasser, Amherst
2024 - Kendra Stern, Amherst
2024 - Ligan Todhunter, Williams
2024 - Caroline Wilson, Williams
