Mike Cahill enters his 15th season as the head coach of RIT’s swimming and diving teams in 2017-18. In that time, he has re-established RIT as one of the top swimming and diving squads in the Northeast region.
Last season, Cahill led the women’s swimming and diving program to an 8-2 dual mark and fourth place finish at the UNYSCSA Championships. Swimmers Amy Adams and Sedera Zbranak represented the university at the 2017 NCAA Championships, while the squad shattered nine school records. The men’s squad earned its ninth straight winning season and a sixth place finish at the UNYSCSA Championships. In 2016, Natalie Snyder became RIT’s first female All-American diver, placing fifth in the 1-meter event at the NCAA Championship, and the first regional diving champion.
In 2011, diver Evan Wendt earned two All-American honors and was the UNYSCSA Diver of the Year, breaking several school and state records. He also coached two-time All-American and Academic All-American Caitlyn Burr. She was also the 2010 Barbara Radef Award winner and RIT Senior Female Athlete of the Year. Burr held 13 individual or relay records at RIT when she graduated. In 2015, Burr was inducted into the RIT Athletics Hall of Fame.
During the 2007-08 season, Cahill had 11 athletes earn All-Empire 8 honors. Divers Quinn Donahoe and Matt Joseph earned All-American honors. The women broke several school records and had four swimmers earn All-Empire 8 honors. In 2005-06, he led the men’s team to a 7-3 record and produced two All-Americans, Donahoe and sprinter Erik Zelbacher, who was inducted into the 2011 RIT Athletics Hall of Fame.
From 1972 to 2003, Cahill was the head varsity and junior varsity swim coach for both the boys and girls swim programs at West Irondequoit High School. During his tenure at West Irondequoit, 12 swimmers earned named Monroe County Most Valuable Player honors, while four swimmers won eight individual New York State Championships. Cahill also coached student-athletes who won more than 50 Section V Championships.
In Aug. 2016, Cahill was inducted into the Section V Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame as a coach.
Cahill is the founder of the West Irondequoit Swim Club and works at several swimming camps in the area, including the University of Rochester.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from RIT in 1972, Cahill, a two-year team captain, set several school records and was RIT's Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 1972. Cahill tallied 386 points during his career, helping guide the Tigers to a 37-13 record, including its only undefeated season of 16-0 in 1970-71. At one time, Cahill held school marks in the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyles, 200-yard individual medley, and as a member of the record-setting 400-yard freestyle, and 400-yard medley relays.
In 1993, Cahill was inducted into the RIT Sports Hall of Fame and was part of the undefeated 1970-71 team that was inducted in 2015.
Cahill also swam scholastically at Aquinas Institute in Rochester, recording five individual school records and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2002. He was a four-time team MVP.
Cahill is the director of the Judson Pool at RIT’s Gordon Field House and Activities Center. He lives in West Henrietta with his wife, Amy. They have two sons, Mike and Chris, who are both proud RIT graduates.
