After initiating the program in 1996-97 and fourteen official varsity seasons, Mary Damm begins her fifteenth year as the head coach of the women's swim team at Mount Saint Mary College in 2011-12. In those thirteen seasons, Damm has guided the Knights to an overall mark of 114-88-3.
Last year, the Knights posted a record of 11-4 overall, marking their second consecutive ten-win season. Mount Saint Mary finished second to Purchase College at the Skyline Conference championships. In the process, rookies Censi Danner and Allison Wyatt were named Skyline Co-Rookie of the Year and the Knights took home the conference sportsmanship award.
In 2009-10, Damm guided the Knights to a program-best record of 15-1 and their fourth Skyline Conference Championship. The team boasted six individual event champions at the Skyline meet on their way to the title. Damm was named the Skyline Coach of the Year for her efforts.
In 2007-08, the Knights finished 10-9 overall and captured the program's third Skyline Conference championship. The team edged out Purchase College by six points at the championship meet. The ten wins for the program tied the school record for wins in a season. Damm was named the Skyline coach of the year for the second time in 2007-08.
Before 2009-10, the 2003-04 season was perhaps the most successful season in the history of the program, as the Knights rolled to a 10-4-1 record and a first place finish at the MSMC Invitational. After leading MSMC to their best record ever, Damm was named the Skyline Conference co-Coach of the Year.
In addition, Damm steered the Mount to back-to-back Skyline Conference titles in 1997-98 and 1998-99. The Knights also had a second place finish in 1999-00.
In nearly 35 years of coaching at all levels, Damm has earned recognition for her work with beginning and intermediate swimmers of all ages. During that time, she has coached at a variety of institutions, including West Point, Vassar College, and Roy C. Ketcham High School. Damm has also worked with the Bernal Gators and Cumberland (R.I.) swim clubs.
In January of 2000, Damm co-authored Guide for Competitive Swimmers with her husband, Gene. She earned a B.A. in history from Empire State College in 1995.
Damm and her husband are originally from New Bedford, Mass., and currently live in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. They have three children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
