Bronx, N.Y. – (October 16, 2023) – Fordham director of athletics Ed Kull has announced the appointment of Tom Wilkens as interim head coach for the Fordham swimming & diving program for the 2023-24 season.
"I would like to thank Athletic Director Ed Kull and the Fordham administration for giving me the opportunity to coach this outstanding group of student-athletes," said Wilkens. "I am very excited for this season and am looking forward to laying the groundwork for the future success of this program!"
Wilkens brings a plethora of international, collegiate, and club experience and knowledge to Rose Hill. As a competitor in the pool, he was the captain of the U.S. Olympic Swim Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which won 33 overall medals, accounting for a third of all U.S. medals won at the 2000 Games. Individually, he earned bronze in the 200-meter individual medley.
Additionally, Wilkens served as USA Swimming National Team captain from 2000-03 and was a World Champion at the 2002 World Championships in Moscow, taking gold in the 400-meter individual medley, setting a new American record in the event. He also earned multiple gold medals in other international competitions, including the Goodwill Games, World Cup, Pan Pacific Championships, World University Games, and U.S. Open.
A 16-time U.S. National champion, Wilkens was a four-time Kipputh Award Winner, which is given to the high point scorer at the U.S. National Championships.
Wilkens made his name in collegiate swimming at Stanford University, where he was a two-year captain, a five-time NCAA champion, a 16-time All-American selection, and a 10-time Pac-10 champion. He helped Stanford win the 1998 NCAA Championship, becoming one of only three Stanford swimmers to win three events in a single NCAA Championship. He was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame for his collegiate success and was one of 26 swimmers named to the Pac-10 All-Century Swim Team.
As a club and USA Swimming certified coach, Wilkens has worked with the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County since 2016. He has coached various age group levels from 11-12 through National Team and seen his swimmers become YMCA National Champions, Division I recruits, and Olympic Trials qualifiers.
Wilkens graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Political Science, and lives in New Jersey with his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Bryce and Kasey. Bryce is currently a freshman on the Fordham men's swimming team.
