Ben Gill named MIAC Men’s Coach of the Year

On February 24, SJU Swim and Dive head coach Ben Gill was named MIAC Coach of the Year. He is the first SJU Swim Coach to receive this award since 2016. Gill led his team to a second-place finish at the 2025 MIAC Championships.

Gill said this award means everything to him and that he appreciates what it says about his team.

“Winning coach of the year is a great honor, but to me it speaks so much to what the athletes accomplished this year as a group. A coach looks good when their athletes are willing to step up and work hard throughout the year. I’m so proud of our guys and all they accomplished this year as a team,” Gill said.

Gill’s experience as a coach has been amazing. He loves having a job that allows him to work with young people pushing themselves, learning what they are capable of and working to achieve their goals.

“I am honored every day with the hard work that the team puts in and how they challenge each other to make themselves better,” Gill said.

Gill was very excited about the season as a whole, saying this was the best season he has ever had as a coach.

“Every year has ups and downs, but the way that this team handled adversity and stepped up in the moments that mattered made for an exciting and fun season,” Gill said.

Gill’s favorite moment of the season was the team’s dual meet against Gustavus because this was the first time the team had beat Gustavus in a dual meet in over 25 years.

“What I enjoyed most about that meet was the team experience; everyone wanted to step up and do their part. We had several athletes who stepped outside their comfort zone in order to help the team in that meet, and when we have people that are willing to do that, we all get better and can achieve more,” Gill said.

Junior swimmer Brayden Slavik said Gill’s confidence in his athletes is what makes him a great coach.

“His encouragement for the whole team and his ability to keep the team spirit high no matter what is amazing,” Slavik said.

Slavik recalled how Gill has helped him during his time at SJU.

“He pushes me every single practice and meet to be better, even if I don’t think I can do it. He always has faith in me,” Slavik said.

Slavik believes Gill’s determination to help the team and individuals to be the best version of themselves inside and outside of the pool played a role in him earning the MIAC Coach of the Year Honor.

Senior swimmer Colby Kern recalled how listening and trusting his athletes is what makes Gill such a great coach.

“Instead of telling us what to do, Ben will have a conversation with us. This approach makes us feel valued, which motivates us to work harder and push ourselves more,” Kern said.

Throughout his time at SJU, Kern said Gill has helped him become a better athlete and person.

“The trust he puts in me is what gives me the confidence to push myself that extra inch. Whether it’s through feedback, race planning or simply being there for me, he has played a huge role in my growth as an athlete and a person,” Kern said.

Kern wants people to know how much Gill cares for each of his athletes.

“It goes beyond our performance in the pool. He sets up opportunities for us to be successful students, so that the initial shock of being a college athlete isn’t too much,” Kern said.

Gill also plays a big role in the team’s volunteer work with Special Olympics. Kern said he sits in on their informational meetings to make sure he is doing everything he can to make the event go as smooth as possible.

Additionally, Kern said Gill is a “swim nerd.”

“He could talk for hours about any topic in swimming at a moment’s notice. His love and passion for the sport is obvious and is another reason why I think he is so great at what he does,” Kern said.

Kern is grateful for everything his coach has done for him and the team.

“The work that Ben has put into this team is unparalleled; no one is more deserving of the MIAC Coach of the Year Award,” Kern said.