University of St. Thomas Athletics
Blanchard resigns as St. Thomas swim and dive coach
1/23/2024 5:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
ST. PAUL, MINN. – Following 13 years of leadership, Scott Blanchard has resigned as the University of St. Thomas men's and women's swim and dive head coach. He will remain on staff until February 6 to oversee the Anderson Pool operations. Katy Vandam, who was hired as the assistant coach in 2022-23, will serve as interim head coach through the remainder of the season.
"I want to thank Coach Blanchard for his time with St. Thomas," commented Director of Athletics Dr. Phil Esten. "Scott had a positive effect and influence on the lives of student-athletes and the Tommie community. We wish him the best in his future endeavors."
Blanchard, who also served as the Director of Aquatics and Anderson Pool, was hired as the Tommies head coach in 2014 after being hired in 2011 as an assistant coach. In nine years as head coach, Blanchard led St. Thomas men's and women's swim and dive programs to eight combined Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) titles from 2015 to 2019 and was named the MIAC Coach of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He additionally played a pivotal role in the Tommies transition from Division III to Division I. In the past three seasons, St. Thomas swimmers broke nine program records, and student-athletes received All-Summit League, Academic All-Conference and Academic All-District honors.
The Tommies also found success at the national level during Blanchard's tenure. In 2015, St. Thomas women's swim and dive team finished 15th at the NCAA Championships, fueled by top-5 performances from Hall of Famer Emma Paulson. In 2016, Paulson became the first swimmer in program history to win an individual national championship, claiming first place in the 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke races and led St. Thomas to a 13th place finish at the national meet. The men's team also recorded top-25 finishes at the NCAA Championships in 2015, as Mike Lanz earned multiple All-America honors for his top-3 performances in the 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly.
Vandam, who was hired last year as an assistant coach, will serve as the interim head coach, and a national search will be conducted to fill the position.
