Famed Swimming Coach Kim Lessard M’93 Retires

Kim Lessard M’93 is hanging up her fins and retiring after devoting more than 35 years to swimmers at the College. She began as head swimming coach and finished as assistant athletic director, aquatics director, and senior woman administrator. “I will always cherish my time at the College,” Lessard said. “I was able to work with so many young people who shared a passion for something that was also so important to me. The relationships I was able to develop with families and local Chestertown residents have made it easier to know it’s time to move on to the next chapter of my life.”

Lessard started the women’s swimming team, which has appeared in 15 NCAA National Championships and has had 26 All-American and All-Honorable Mention athletes, 143 All-Centennial Conference swimmers, and 11 Hall of Famers during her involvement. Lessard was inducted into the Washington College Hall of Fame on October 6, 2006.

“I was fortunate to have my two daughters grow up with so many mentors in my ‘swim world,’” said Lessard. “They both went on to swim in college and now coach professionally in addition
to their other jobs. We have so many family memories connected to swimming.”

In 2018, Lessard established the Swimming Endowment, aimed at growing and supporting the College swimming teams. Lessard and the athletics department are hoping to raise $50,000 for this endowment. If this goal is reached, the College will name the women’s locker room in the Casey Swim Center in honor of Lessard. The fund has currently raised $10,000 toward the goal.

To help reach this goal and support the Washington College Swimming Teams, please visit washcoll.edu/giving/swimming-endowment.php or contact Mac Franklin, at mfranklin2@washcoll.edu.

“Thank you for the support and friendships over the years,” Lessard said to all in the Washington swimming community. “I hope our paths cross again soon.”