CHAMPAIGN, ILL – Former University of Illinois swimming and diving coach Don Sammons passed away November 24, 2022, at the age of 90. Don and his wife, Marilyn, were living in Gilbert, Arizona.
Sammons was head coach of the Illini men's team for 22 years from 1971-72 through 1992-93 and was head coach of the combined men's and women's programs the final 13 seasons of his career starting in 1980 until he retired in 1993, the same year the men's swimming and diving program was discontinued.
During Sammons' coaching career at Illinois, every school record in men's swimming was broken. He coached seven All-Americans, seven Big Ten Conference champions and one league Most Valuable Performer. Additionally, Illinois squad members qualified for 46 NCAA championship events.
Sammons received the John Newman Award for contributions to the sport of swimming in the state of Illinois. In 1983, he was named the Illinois Men's Collegiate Coach of the Year. He also is a member of the Illinois Swimming Hall of Fame and was chairman of the conference swimming coaches organization for four years.
Sammons was a member of the swim team at Lindblom High School in Chicago during his senior year and, although he swam for only year, attended DePaul on a swimming scholarship. After two years, he transferred to Illinois where he competed for the swim team during his senior season. Sammons graduated from Illinois with his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1955, and after a military tour in Korea, he returned to Illinois as an assistant coach until earning his master's degree in physical education in 1960.
Following graduation, he went on to coach at Thornridge High School in his native Dolton. His Thornridge teams won 11 consecutive South Suburban League championships, captured four undisputed titles and one first-place tie in district competition, placed third in state in 1970 and finished fourth in the state championships three times.
Sammons will long be remembered for his positive attitude that was shared with all his athletes and colleagues. The Sammons family indicated there will be no services.
