North Carolina State University Athletics
Endowment Honors Easterling's Career at NC State
11/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Don Easterling Swimming Endowment was created in 2007 by more than 40 former NC State swimmers to honor the coach who led the Wolfpack’s swimming and diving program for 22 seasons. His tenure at the helm of the swimming and diving program resulted in arguably the most dominant period of any team in the history of Wolfpack athletics.
“Coach Easterling did a fantastic job in continuing the foundation of success that Willis Casey laid here in keeping NC State at the highest level of national prominence,” said head coach Brooks Teal. “Coach Easterling was a great coach, task master and motivator, and he provided excellent leadership for the team for many, many years. His spirit is still with this program through our “Red Legend Pride” motto, which he established, as we strive to continue a tradition of excellence year-in and year-out.”
While it was Willis Casey who first placed the Wolfpack in the national spotlight, it was Easterling who taught his squads to dominate the difficult ACC. In his 40 seasons as Wolfpack head coach - 24 for the men and 16 for the women - he won the ACC title 17 times, including a run of 12 straight with the men. Overall, he posted a 331-119 record with 219 wins for the men and 112 for the women. He was elected to the Association of Swimming Coaches of America (ASCA) Hall of Fame in 2004 for his achievements.
When NC State began its women’s program Easterling was in charge of stocking the Wolfpack’s first lineup, and starting the program from scratch showed just what an excellent coach he was. In the program’s first six seasons, the women lost a combined five meets while winning the first two ACC titles in impressive fashion. In those first six seasons, Easterling also had the Pack finish no worse then 13th at the AIAW national meet.
Easterling’s true legacy at NC State is in the number of All-Americans he coached. Easterling was responsible 40 times for Wolfpack swimmers and divers capturing All-America status - 24 men and 16 women. Of those 40, seven participated in Olympic competition with four medals resulting from their efforts.
If you would like to donate to the Don Easterling Swimming Endowment, please call the
Wolfpack Club at 919-865-1500.
“Coach Easterling did a fantastic job in continuing the foundation of success that Willis Casey laid here in keeping NC State at the highest level of national prominence,” said head coach Brooks Teal. “Coach Easterling was a great coach, task master and motivator, and he provided excellent leadership for the team for many, many years. His spirit is still with this program through our “Red Legend Pride” motto, which he established, as we strive to continue a tradition of excellence year-in and year-out.”
While it was Willis Casey who first placed the Wolfpack in the national spotlight, it was Easterling who taught his squads to dominate the difficult ACC. In his 40 seasons as Wolfpack head coach - 24 for the men and 16 for the women - he won the ACC title 17 times, including a run of 12 straight with the men. Overall, he posted a 331-119 record with 219 wins for the men and 112 for the women. He was elected to the Association of Swimming Coaches of America (ASCA) Hall of Fame in 2004 for his achievements.
When NC State began its women’s program Easterling was in charge of stocking the Wolfpack’s first lineup, and starting the program from scratch showed just what an excellent coach he was. In the program’s first six seasons, the women lost a combined five meets while winning the first two ACC titles in impressive fashion. In those first six seasons, Easterling also had the Pack finish no worse then 13th at the AIAW national meet.
Easterling’s true legacy at NC State is in the number of All-Americans he coached. Easterling was responsible 40 times for Wolfpack swimmers and divers capturing All-America status - 24 men and 16 women. Of those 40, seven participated in Olympic competition with four medals resulting from their efforts.
If you would like to donate to the Don Easterling Swimming Endowment, please call the
Wolfpack Club at 919-865-1500.
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