Huskies swim coach Stu Marvin announced his retirement after 15 years at the helm of Bloomsburg’s swimming program. Marvin began his coaching career in Bloomsburg in 2008 when he returned to unify the men’s and women’s programs. Before 2008, the program had both a men’s and women’s coach. After the women’s coach retired, Bloomsburg brought in Marvin to coach both programs.

Under Marvin, Bloomsburg earned countless awards, including 41 PSAC champions and 109 all-conference awards. The Huskies also posted eight PSAC all-time records during his tenure.

Marvin said his favorite part about coaching was the opportunity to share his experience with his swimmers.

“I swam here and then I was involved with swimming at [the International Swimming Hall of Fame], and just being able to give back everything I’ve learned and share it with these swimmers, that was the most satisfying part.”

Marvin swam at Bloomsburg from 1973 to 1978 and was even inducted into the Bloomsburg University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, becoming the first swimmer named to the Hall. In his time swimming at Bloomsburg, Marvin racked up awards. He earned 2 Danny Litwhiler Underclass Athlete of the Year awards, and as a senior, won the Robert Redman Senior Athlete award. He was an 11-time All-American and won six PSAC golds. Marvin was also the first Husky to be named an All-American in three different events in the same season. He accomplished this feat twice.

After his time swimming at Bloomsburg, Marvin moved to Fort Lauderdale where he worked for the parks and recreation department as a lifeguard before eventually working at the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He was in charge of the aquatic center at the hall, as well as six other community pools in the city, and the beach patrol.

With all this experience, he had a lot to give back to his swimmers. Under his guidance, the Huskies earned 66 All-American honors.

Marvin was most proud of having consistent success.

 “I would say maintaining the women’s program because they had always had success while bringing the men back to prominence,” Marvin stated.

In the 15 years that Marvin coached, the women’s team went 86-44 in dual meets and the men’s team went 65-41, including an undefeated season in 2017, and a PSAC Championship in 2021.

Of all the seasons he coached, Marvin recalled the 2017 season as his favorite year.

“That was the year we took our biggest team to the NCAAs, both men and women… Everyone came back an All-American, I think there were 12 of them,” Marvin recalls.

With such a decorated coach retiring some might think the program will take a step back, but the Huskies are in good hands. Bridget Hilferty, Marvin’s assistant coach of ten years, will take up the mantle of head coach, and former BU swimmer Eric Usbeck will assist her. Usbeck previously coached at Misericordia and Millersville.

Marvin’s son and graduating BU swimmer Matt Marvin is excited about the future of the Huskies’ swimming program.

He said “There’s a great group of swimmers returning next year, and I expect a seamless transition with Bridget at the helm. She is more than capable of leading this program into the future. It’s also great to have Eric back, an addition to the coaching staff that will certainly pay dividends for the Huskies.”

As for Coach Marvin, he plans to travel with his wife, Meg, in his retirement.