It's no wonder the Virginia men's and women's swimming and diving teams remain undefeated. It's also no wonder that they have finished in the top 25 at the NCAA championships for 15 of the last 22 years. After all, Mark Bernardino is their coach.
Bernardino has been head coach for 27 years. Fondly called "Dino" by his swimmers, he shows no signs of slowing down the rigorous and thriving swimming program here.
Bernardino's love for Virginia swimming extends back to the 1970s when he was a student swimmer at the University, earning six school records, U.Va. Male Athlete of the Year and a trip to the 1972 Olympic trials. But Bernardino's accomplishments as a Virginia head coach have extended even beyond his personal achievements in the water.
With 183 career wins, Bernardino ranks second best among ACC women's swimming coaches. He has won the ACC Coach of the Year Award 19 times and has instructed nearly 100 All-Americans who have won countless medals and honors among them.
This season appears to be no different for Bernardino, as Virginia remains undefeated on the season thus far. Though the teams are chock full of talent and speed, it takes more than that to create a strong competitive team.
So what makes Bernardino such a successful coach?
He "is the type of guy whose confidence rubs off on everybody around him," said senior Luke Anderson, a nine-time All-American who is heralded as one of the top freestyle sprinters in the country. "He brings more intensity to the pool deck than any of his swimmers, and it's almost impossible not to be motivated and inspired by him. His results speak for themselves -- six straight ACC titles, with a seventh in his sights, making him the most successful coach in Virginia sports history."
Not many coaches can boast such a consistent program over 27 years. Anderson even attributes his personal success to Bernardino.
"When Dino got his hands on me I was a skinny distance swimmer with the goal to simply swim at a decent college," Anderson said. "In four years, he's turned me into a world-ranked sprinter with my sights set on a national title."
But Bernardino remains humble about his coaching talent.
"I don't think my job is any different than any college swim coach and probably in many cases, any college track coach who is working and has the opportunity to work with the elite athletes," Bernardino said. "You do everything you can to provide them with the tools to reach success at the highest levels."
Bernardino has taken Virginia to its highest levels and looks to take the team higher still.
Tomorrow Virginia will head to Pittsburg for a dual meet. Virginia men stand at 4-0 overall and the women at 5-0.
Bernardino is not surprised by Virginia's accomplishments this season because of his swimmers' dedication to success.
They "make the commitment to improve, and I just try to help give them the vehicles toward improvement," Bernardino said. "It's a funny sport. You get out of it what you put into it. As long as they are determined to get better and willing to put in the hours, then as their coach, I am willing to do whatever it takes to help them reach their dreams."
Read More
No. 6 women’s squash falls to No. 5 Stanford in first match of the new year
By Peter Kratz | 13 hours agoThe Cavaliers fall to 0-1 in conference play after their first clash with the Cardinal.
Katie Grimes posts historic debut as women’s swimming and diving annihilates Virginia Tech
By Xander Tilock | 2 days agoGrimes broke out as a new superstar for Coach Todd DeSorbo's squad.
Women’s basketball displays stingy defense, but falls short versus No. 14 Duke
By Xander Tilock | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers nearly conquered a ranked rival but could not generate consistent offense.
