Pete Hovland Selected as National Collegiate Scholastic Trophy Winner

Pete Hovland, Head Coach of Oakland University, has been selected by members of the CSCAA for the 2022 National Collegiate Scholastic Trophy. Photo: Oakland University

Pete Hovland, Head Coach of Oakland University, has been selected by members of the CSCAA for the 2022 National Collegiate Scholastic Trophy, in recognition of his contributions to college swimming. He will be recognized at the 62nd Annual CSCAA Awards Celebration on May 8th, in Orlando, Florida.

“Coach Hovland is an extraordinary example of dedication. He is committed to our sport, the student-athletes, his peers and to Oakland University,” remarked Samantha Barany (CSCAA Executive Director). “In a time of constant movement and change, he has remained a steady leader for all of us. We thank him and are proud to celebrate Coach Hovland with the National Collegiate Scholastic Trophy.”

A graduate of Chico State University, Hovland swam for the acclaimed Head Coach Ernie Maglischo, where he contributed to four NCAA team championship titles. In 1976, he was selected as the Far Western Conference (FWC) Athlete of the Year. Hovland won gold 13 times at the NCAA championships (five individual and eight relay titles) and was a 23-time Division II CSCAA All-America for Wildcats.

In 1976 Hovland earned his master's degree from Northern Iowa where he was an assistant coach. In 1979 Hovland reunited with Coach Maglischo, becoming his assistant at Oakland University. This is where Hovland would stay and build a storied career for the next 44 years. In 1981 he ascended to Oakland’s head coach position and constructed a resume that would eventually earn him the recognition of 100 Best Coaches in the CSCAA’s Centennial Celebration.

As he reflects, Hovland articulates a strong appreciation for those who helped him along the way, “To the many colleagues I have had the pleasure of working with while building Oakland’s athletic foundation, thank you for being such a great friend over the years and for sharing your knowledge and expertise so willingly.”

Before leading the Grizzlies in their transition to Division I, Hovland built a dominant Division II program. The men finished in the top-three at the national championships in 15 of 16 appearances, including winning four consecutive NCAA titles before making the move to Division I status. This success earned him the CSCAA Division II Coach of the Year six times.

With Hovland on deck, the Golden Grizzlies won the men’s conference championship 45 consecutive times. The women won 22 straight championships. On February 18th, Hovland coached both the men and women to their final Horizon League title under his leadership. Hovland won 31 Conference Coach of the Year awards across multiple conferences, including the 2023 women’s Horizon League Coach of the Year honor.

Hovland coached athletes on every major stage yet, his biggest accomplishment is his sincere care for those around him. “Over Pete's 44 years as a coach at Oakland University, he has coached his athletes to the highest levels in our sport including Olympic Qualifiers, NCAA Champions and All-Americans. More importantly, during his time, he has mentored and molded his athletes to be better people," said Oakland alum and Associate Head Coach Mitch Alters. “Pete has touched countless lives throughout his career, and I am grateful to be one of them. OU Pride Forever.”

In the classroom, Hovland’s teams have been recognized as CSCAA Scholar All-America an impressive 46 times. Both the men (3.25) and women (3.45) were honored with this recognition in the Fall 2022 semester.

Hovland is a member of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and Summit League Hall of Fame. He will retire on May 7th and begin retirement with a celebration at the CSCAA Convention on May 8th! Pete Hovland lives in Michigan with his wife of 23 years, Laurie.

CSCAA members can register for the 62nd Annual Meetings and Awards Celebration at www.cscaa.org/meetings. All registrations include a ticket to the Award Ceremony and Post Celebration at the Hard Rock Cafe, Universal’s CityWalk. Questions can be directed to: [email protected]

Previous Recipients

2021 - Nic Askew, Howard University 2020 - Joel Shinofield, CSCAA/USA Swimming
2019 - Eddie Sinnott, Southern Methodist University
2018 - Peter Linn, Eastern Michigan University
2017 - Susan Teeter, Princeton & Kris Kubik, Texas
2016 - Gregg Wilson, UC-Santa Barbara
2015 - Jon Howell, Emory University
2014 - Tim Welsh, Notre Dame
2013 - Matt Kredich, Tennessee
2012 - Ron Ballatore, UCLA/Florida
2011 - Gregg Parini, Denison University
2010 - Gregg Troy, Florida
2009 - Frank Keefe, Yale University, Ret.
2008 - Greg Earhart, Collegeswimming.
2007 - Don Megerle, Tufts University
2006 - Don Gambril, Alabama, Retired
2005 - Frank Busch, Arizona
2004 - Jon Urbanchek, Michigan
2003 - David Marsh, Auburn University
2002 - Teri McKeever, California
2001 - Richard Quick, Stanford University
2000 - David Marsh, Auburn University
1999 - Jean Freeman, Minnesota
1998 - Jack Bauerle, Georgia
1997 - Dr. Samuel J Freas, ISHOF
1996 - Jon Urbanchek, Michigan
1995 - Jim Steen, Kenyon College
1994 - Don Easterling, North Carolina St
1993 - Eddie Reese, University of Texas
1992 - Ernie Maglischo, CSU-Bakersfield
1991 - Nort Thornton, California,
1990 - Hoble Billingsley, Indiana
1989 - Phil Hansel, University of Houston
1988 - John Higgins, US Naval Academy
1987 - Richard Kimball, Michigan
1986 - Donald Gambril, Alabama
1985 - Raymond Bussard, Tennessee
1984 - Jack Ryan, US Military Academy
1983 - Robert F. Busbey, Cleveland State
1982 - Richard E. Steadman, Monmouth
1981 - Charles J. Butt, Bowdoin College
1980 - Gus Stager, Michigan
1979 - Philip E. Moriarty, Yale University
1978 - Jack McGuire, Iowa State
1977 - Peter Daland, USC
1976 - George F. Haines, UCLA
1975 - James E. Counsilman, Indiana
1974 - G. Robert Mowerson, Minnesota
1973 - Ted Webster, Syracuse University
1972 - Alfred R. Barr, Southern Methodist
1971 - Charles E. Silvia, Springfield
1970 - David H. Robertson, New Trier HS
1969 - Robert B. Muir, Williams College
1968 - Soichi Sakamato, Hawaii
1967 - Karl B. Michael, Dartmouth
1966 - Charles McCaffree, Michigan State
1965 - Richard Papenguth, Purdue
1964 - Harold S. Ulen, Harvard
1963 - Dave Armbruster, Iowa
1962 - Mike Peppe, Ohio State
1961 - Matt Mann, Oklahoma
1960 - Robert J. Kiphuth, Yale
1959 - Edward T Kennedy, Columbia