The Jean Freeman Scholarship

The Jean Freeman Scholarship is given annually to six collegiate coaches whose exceptional contributions have brought recognition to their institution. These coaches’ leadership, integrity, honesty, competitive attitude and personal graciousness epitomize those characteristics reflected by Jean Freeman. The scholarship will provide each of the recipients registrations for the CSCAA Annual Meetings and Coach Academy, along with transportation and lodging to the CSCAA Annual Meetings.

Eligibility

• Minimum of two years coaching experience (with preference given to collegiate coaching).

• Currently employed head coach with less than three years head coaching experience, assistant coach, associate head coach, graduate assistant or volunteer assistant

• Coaches must be current members of the CSCAA.

Application and Selection

• Applicants must submit their current resume and one-page essay that includes:

  • Your coaching (not training philosophy)

  • A description of how you demonstrate the ideas that Jean Freeman is known for in coaching

  • Your career objectives

• Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2024

About Jean Freeman

Jean Freeman was a pioneer in women’s collegiate athletics. She served as a mentor and leader to numerous coaches (men and women) who went onto their own head coaching careers. Jean Freeman swam for the Minnesota Gophers from 1968-72 and then served as an assistant coach for one season. In 1973 she was named head coach and from there, Freeman took the program to national prominence. During her 31-year tenure, Freeman produced 27 winning seasons; captured two Big Ten Championships, won 208 dual meets; and coached two National Champions, 14 Big Ten Champions, and 175 All-Americans. Most of all, she enjoyed coaching over 1,000 student-athletes.

Freeman was one of the first women to become a full-time NCAA Division I head coach. Her many honors and accolades include four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year awards; over 20 ASCA Certificates of Excellence Awards; induction into the Minnesota Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the National Collegiate and Scholastic Swimming Trophy, awarded annually by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. She also served on the 1992 National Junior Team, 1991 Olympic Festival and 2004 World University Games coaching staffs. She was Minnesota Swimming's senior chair for many years, was a key member of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Rules and Championship Committees and CSCAA Board of Directors.

In addition to being a highly successful coach, Jean Freeman was a difference maker in the college swimming community. She showed up, spoke up, and got involved to do what was best for our sport. Her influence can be seen on pool decks across the country where she is remembered by many coaches as a mentor, which is why these scholarships in her honor are such a fitting way to honor her memory.

Past Recipients

2024

• Ian Bishop, John Carroll

• Canaan Campbell, Lindenwood

• Erin Chrissobolis, Ohio Northern

• Matthew Gearing, Catawba

• Alex Henderson, Washington and Lee

• Jenel Lopez, Pomona-Pitzer

• Megan Shaffer, Colgate

• Temarie Tomley, Georgia Tech

2023

• Keaton Burke, Fairfield University

• James Singewald, The College of New Jersey

• Caesar Asadi, Saint Thomas University (FL)

• Abigail String, University of Miami (FL)

• Vanessa Williamson, Bates College

• Sydney Kanne, Willamette University

2022

• Johnathan Fergusson, Southern Illinois University

• Hannah Hagy, Case Western University

• Zachary Mertens, Drury University

• Kelsey Reagan, Youngstown State University

• Matthew Salig, Amherst College

• M`argaret Zagrobelny, Johns Hopkins University

2021

• Johnathan Fergusson, Southern Illinois University

• Hannah Hagy, Case Western University

• Zachary Mertens, Drury University

• Kelsey Reagan, Youngstown State University

• Matthew Salig, Amherst College

• Margaret Zagrobelny, Johns Hopkins University

2020

• Virtual Convention

2019

• Mona Groteguth, Indianapolis

• Alice McCall, Florida Atlantic

• Daniel Dozier, UNC Asheville

• Nathan Harding, Biola

• Kristin Walker Georgia Southern

• Dan Burke, Wabash College

2018

• Jeanmarie Madison, William Jewell

• Hannah Burandt, Houston

• Amanda Caldwell, Rice

• Elise Knoche, Southern Illinois

• Jordan Lieberman, Cornell

• Juliet Suess, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps