Nancy Bigelow of Tufts: A Hall of Fame Journey in Division III Swim

The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) revealed the CSCAA Division III Hall of Fame Class of 2025, honoring the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of NCAA Division III swimmers, divers, and coaches.

This year’s Hall of Fame class features twenty eminent individuals, including Tufts coach Nancy Bigelow, whose exceptional achievements and enduring influence have transformed the realm of collegiate swimming and diving. Bigelow becomes the second Tufts coach to be inducted into the CSCAA Division III Hall of Fame, alongside Don Megerle (2024 inductee), and she is the 11th person from the NESCAC to receive this honor. Established in 2023, the CSCAA Division III Hall of Fame welcomed its first class in 2024.

Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA, emphasized the significance of this accolade: “Congratulations to the Division III Hall of Fame Class of 2025! This Hall of Fame commemorates the remarkable journeys of swimmers, divers, and coaches who have made a profound impact in Division III collegiate swimming and diving. These inductees are celebrated not only for their athletic achievements but also for their lasting contributions to the sport, their teams, and their institutions.”

Graduating in 1975 as a swimmer from Penn State, Bigelow was appointed as the Head Coach for Fencing and Volleyball at Wellesley College and subsequently took on the role of Swimming Head Coach. In 1982, she was hired as the Women’s Swimming Head Coach at Tufts, where she swiftly helped the Jumbos become a prominent force in the region, clinching New England Championships in 1986, 1987, and 1989, and finishing in the Top 10 at NCAA Division III Championships on three occasions. Over her 33 seasons, her teams achieved an impressive .692 winning percentage.

Throughout her time at Tufts, Bigelow mentored 44 All-Americans and 18 New England/NESCAC Champions. Numerous team members garnered CSCAA Academic All-America accolades. Bigelow herself has received multiple honors, including the CSCAA Honoree for the 2013 Steadman Award, the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award, and she has been recognized as Conference Coach of the Year on five different occasions.

She has made significant contributions to the Division over the years, including her service 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 the women’s head coach but continued to support the combined teams as Associate Head Coach. She concluded her career in 2018 by helping the Tufts men’s team achieve its first-ever NESCAC title.

The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place 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 recognize the accomplishments of teams and individuals from the 2024-25 collegiate season, in addition to the five major awards presented annually by the CSCAA.

The CSCAA enthusiastically invites its members, fans, and supporters to partake in the celebration of the 2025 Division III Hall of Fame Class. Together, we will honor these remarkable individuals and their legacies, inspiring future generations in the realms of 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