Dick Hannula
Dick Hannula, Sr. is an International Hall of Fame swimming coach and former competitive swimmer for Washington State University from Tacoma, Washington best remembered for starting the nationally recognized Tacoma Swim Club in 1953, which he coached through 1993. He coached his Wilson High School boys' teams to an impressive and nearly unprecedented 24 consecutive state championships from 1960-1983, and a total of 323 winning consecutive swim meets. He received global recognition for coaching Olympic team swimmer and 1969 gold medalist Kaye Hall Greff, and additional recognition for coaching 1979 World University Games Gold medalist Janet Buchan. He coached his high performing sons Dick, David and Dan Hannula, Olympic pentahlete Chuck Richards, and 1976 Olympian and Tacoma Swim Club swimmer Miriam Smith. His top performing swimmers took two World Records, two Olympic Records, thirteen American Records, and two National High School Records.
Around 28 in 1958, accepting Wilson High School position | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1930 Tacoma, Washington |
| Alma mater | Washington State University (1951 Graduate) |
| Playing career | |
| 1944-1947 | Aberdeen High School |
| 1947-1951 | Washington State |
| Position(s) | freestyle, backstroke |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1951-1958 | Lincoln High School |
| 1958-1983 | Wilson High School |
| 1953-1993 | Tacoma Swim Club |
| 73, 75, 76, 78, 85 | U.S. National Team |
| 1984, 1988 | U.S. National Team Olympic Coach |
| 2007-2008 | University Puget Sound Asst. Coach |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| '53 '55 High School State Championships (Lincoln High School), Tacoma, WA 24 High School State Championships 1960-83 (Wilson High School), Tacoma, WA | |
| Awards | |
| '80 National High School Coach of the Year '80 NISCA Nat. Coll. and Schol. Trophy NISCA Swimming Hall of Fame International Swimming Hall of Fame | |
| Records | |
| (1960-83) 323 Consecutive Wins (Woodrow Wilson High School) | |