Tom Wilkens

Directing camp is Fordham Head Swimming Coach, Tom Wilkens. Coach Wilkens brings a plethora of international, collegiate, and club experience. As a competitor in the pool, he was the captain of the U.S. Olympic Swim Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which won 33 overall medals, accounting for a third of all U.S. medals won at the 2000 Games. Wilkens first made his name in collegiate swimming at Stanford University, where he was a two-year captain, a five-time NCAA champion, a 16-time All-American selection, and a 10-time Pac-10 champion.

After serving as the interim head coach for Fordham swimming & diving for the 2023-24 season, Tom Wilkens was promoted to head coach for the 2024-25 season. Wilkens becomes the 12^th full-time head coach in the 99-year history of the Fordham swimming & diving team, which began in 1925.

Under Wilkens, Fordham had a very successful 2023-24 season, as the women’s program posted its third consecutive undefeated dual meet season and finished third at the Atlantic 10 Championship, while the men’s team recorded an 8-1 dual meet record for the second straight year and a sixth-place finish at the Atlantic 10 Championship.

Individually, junior Ainhoa Martin won three individual events at the 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship and was selected as the Championship’s Most Outstanding Performer. She also became Fordham’s first NCAA Championship qualifier since 2012, placing 38^th in the 200 breaststroke and 56^th in the 200 IM. Junior Jessica Zebrowski was also an Atlantic 10 champion, winning the 100 butterfly event, to earn First Team All-League honors. The Rams also had four Second Team All-Atlantic 10 selections for the women and set nine school records.

For the men, the Rams had three Second Team All-Atlantic 10 selections at the 2024 Championship, all in the relays, while posting seven new school records throughout the year.

In 2024-25, the Rams medaled 10 times at the Atlantic 10 Championship and set two school records. Ainhoa Martin defended her titles in the 400 IM and 200 breaststroke event, while earning silver in the 200 IM. Jessica Zebrowski also earned a silver and bronze medal individually in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly events with Christian Taylor earning a pair of bronze medals in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. The remaining medals came from Leire Martin in the 100 backstroke, as well as the women's 800 freestyle relay and th men's 200 freestyle relay.

Wilkens brought a plethora of international, collegiate, and club experience and knowledge to Rose Hill. As a competitor in the pool, he was the captain of the U.S. Olympic Swim Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which won 33 overall medals, accounting for a third of all U.S. medals won at the 2000 Games. Individually, he earned bronze in the 200-meter individual medley.

Additionally, Wilkens served as USA Swimming National Team captain from 2000-03 and was a World Champion at the 2002 World Championships in Moscow, taking gold in the 400-meter individual medley, setting a new American record in the event. He also earned multiple gold medals in other international competitions, including the Goodwill Games, World Cup, Pan Pacific Championships, World University Games, and U.S. Open.

A 16-time U.S. National champion, Wilkens was a four-time Kipputh Award Winner, which is given to the high point scorer at the U.S. National Championships.

Wilkens made his name in collegiate swimming at Stanford University, where he was a two-year captain, a five-time NCAA champion, a 16-time All-American selection, and a 10-time Pac-10 champion. He helped Stanford win the 1998 NCAA Championship, becoming one of only three Stanford swimmers to win three events in a single NCAA Championship. He was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame for his collegiate success and was one of 26 swimmers named to the Pac-10 All-Century Swim Team.

As a club and USA Swimming certified coach, Wilkens has worked with the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County since 2016. He has coached various age group levels from 11-12 through National Team and seen his swimmers become YMCA National Champions, Division I recruits, and Olympic Trials qualifiers.

Wilkens graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Political Science, and lives in New Jersey with his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Bryce and Kasey. Bryce is a freshman on the Fordham men’s swimming team.

CAREER SWIMMING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Captain, United States Olympic Swim Team, Sydney, Australia. (2000). Elected by peers on basis of leadership ability and accomplishment in sport to lead the world’s best swim team in its most Olympic successful games. USA Swimming won 33 medals – 1/3rd of all medals won by all U.S. Athletes.
• Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2000 Sydney Olympic Games – 200 Meter Individual Medley (Also competed in the 200 Breaststroke).
• World Champion and American Record Holder (2002). Set in the 400 Individual Medley at the World Championships in Moscow, Russia.
• Gold Medalist (1995-2003). In multiple events at the Goodwill Games, World Cup, Pan Pacific Championships, World University Games, US Open.
• USA Swimming National Team Captain (2000-2003). 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan; 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia; 2002 World Championships in Moscow, Russia; 2002 Pan Pacific Championships in Yokohama, Japan; and 2003 World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.
• 16 time United States National Champion (1996-2003) in multiple events
• 4 time Kipputh Award Winner – high point scorer at the US National Championships
• Stanford Swim Team Captain (1997 & 1998). Led Stanford to victory at the 1998 NCAA Championships
• 5 time NCAA Champion (1997-1998). One of only 3 Stanford swimmers (along with Pablo Morales and Jeff Rouse) to win all three events in a single NCAA Championship
• 16 time NCAA All American (1995-1998)
• Pac-10 All-Century Swim Team. One of only 26 male swimmers from the past 100 years recognized with this honor
• 10 time Pac-10 Champion (1995 through 1998)
• Stanford University Athletics Hall of Fame
• Stanford Al Masters Award (1998) – awarded to the top male athlete in the University
• Stanford Block S Award (1997) – awarded to the top male Junior year athlete in the University
• Pac-10 All Academic Team (1996)
• Featured in book “Gold In the Water: The True Story of Ordinary Men and Their Extraordinary Dream of Olympic Glory” by P.H. Mullin
• Featured in the Swimming Documentary “The Water is My Sky”. The Water Is My Sky (http://waterismysky.com/) is a feature length documentary about the world of elite competitive swimming.
• Coach, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County (2016-Present). Coached various age group levels (from 11-12 through National Team). Currently the lead Breaststroke and IM Group National Team coach and associate coach for the 13-14 group. Have coached multiple YMCA National Champions, Division I scholarship recruits, and Olympic Trials Qualifiers. USA Swimming Certified / Safe Sport Certified / CPR-AED-Lifeguard Certified

EDUCATION

• Stanford University, Stanford, CA, BA in Political Science
• Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, NJ (1994)

MISCELLANEOUS

• Director & Branch Manager – McGowan Risk Specialists Insurance Brokerage (current)
• Board of Directors – Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey (Past President), NJ Young Insurance Professionals (past president), NJ Surplus Lines Association (present), USA Swimming (2002-2006)
• Committeeman – Township of Middletown, NJ (2006 – 2008)
• Motivational Speaker/Clinician (1998-present). Presentations given on a broad range of topics to a variety of groups nationwide, including athletic teams / organizations, non-profit organizations, school / youth / church groups
• Married for 20 years to Stephanie (elementary school teacher).
• Father of 2 children: son, Bryce (age 18), and daughter, Kasey (age 16)