KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Oct. 8, 2026) – Twenty-five seasons. Hundreds of victories. Championships, records, NCAA qualifiers, All-Americans – and, most importantly, generations of Mariners who have grown as athletes, students, leaders, and people.
 
Commander Sean M. Tedesco, USMS completed his 25th season as head coach of the United States Merchant Marine Academy men's and women's swimming and diving teams during the 2025-26 season. Over a quarter century at Kings Point, Tedesco has built one of the most successful and consistent NCAA Division III swimming and diving programs in the country.
 
"Looking back over 25 years, I am incredibly grateful for every athlete who believed in our program, trusted the process, and committed themselves to becoming the best version of themselves," said Coach Tedesco. "The relationships and memories I have built with our athletes will always be one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. I am equally thankful for the many assistant and diving coaches who have dedicated their time, energy, and passion to our program over the years, especially my longtime diving coach and colleague, LT Johan C. Lopez. None of what we accomplished was done alone. Together, with our coaches, captains, and athletes, we worked to build something special and return this program to the proud and storied tradition it has always represented. I am truly honored to have been a part of that journey and look forward to continuing to build on it for many years to come."

And while 25 years is a remarkable milestone, it is not the end of the story. Tedesco is not retiring and will continue to lead the Mariners.
 
Since arriving at Kings Point in 2001, Tedesco's teams have competed at the NCAA Division III Championships in 22 of 24 opportunities, including 15 consecutive trips from 2002-16. His student-athletes have produced 81 NCAA qualifiers, 239 NCAA qualifying standards, 96 All-American certificates, two NCAA National Champions who combined for five individual titles, eight national runner-up finishes, three NCAA Divers of the Year, three National Diving Coach of the Year honors, and one national record.
 
The Mariners have also captured 37 conference championships – 27 Skyline Conference titles, nine Landmark Conference championships, and the program's first Metropolitan Conference Championship since 1986. During Tedesco's tenure, the teams have recorded 354 dual-meet victories, broken Academy records 332 times, and established 359 conference, meet, and pool records.
 
The individual honors reflect the depth and consistency of the program. Tedesco's student-athletes have earned 76 Conference Swimmer/Diver of the Year awards, 28 Conference Rookie of the Year honors, and 14 Academy Rookie of the Year selections. Seven Mariners have received the Admiral Giles C. Stedman Trophy, and six have earned the Julie A. Berke Trophy, the Academy's highest athletic honors for men and women. Tedesco himself has been recognized with 37 Coach of the Year awards across the Skyline, Landmark, and Metropolitan Conferences, along with multiple United States Merchant Marine Academy Coach of the Year honors.
 
But the most meaningful measure of 25 years is not found in a record book.
 
Built on Five Principles
 
From the beginning, Tedesco's program has been built on five foundational principles:
 
Service. Respect. Responsibility. Encouragement. Pride.
 
These are more than words. They define what it means to be a Mariner and shape the culture of the program every day.
 

• Service means understanding that being part of a team is an opportunity to give back, support others, and contribute to something bigger than yourself.
• Respect means valuing teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, the Academy, and the opportunity to represent Kings Point.
• Responsibility means owning your preparation, your decisions, your performance, and your role in the success of the team.
• Encouragement means lifting others up, celebrating teammates' accomplishments, and helping one another through challenges and adversity.
• And Pride means taking pride in the Mariners name, the Academy, the team's history, and the responsibility that comes with wearing the uniform.  

These principles have helped develop student-athletes who excel not only in the pool, but also in the classroom, in military and maritime service, and in leadership roles long after graduation.
 
Since 2001, Tedesco's teams have earned 22 CSCAA Team Academic All-American Awards and 31 Individual Academic All-American honors, demonstrating that championship success and academic excellence can go hand in hand.
 
Tedesco's impact at Kings Point also extends beyond the pool. Since 2014, he has served as Assistant Athletic Director for Aquatics, while also serving as PE&A STCW Coordinator, Professional Faculty Instructor, and a member of the Faculty Forum Executive Committee, including service as President and First Vice President. He is also a commissioned Commander in the United States Maritime Service.
 
After 25 seasons, the championships and records are certainly worth celebrating. But Tedesco's lasting legacy will be measured by the people who came through the program—the Mariners who became leaders, teammates who became lifelong friends, and graduates who carried the lessons of Service, Respect, Responsibility, Encouragement, and Pride into their careers and lives.
 
Twenty-five years is a remarkable milestone.
 
But it is not a finish line.
 
For Tedesco and the Mariners, the next chapter is already underway.
 
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