The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University

Andrew Cole is one of the most decorated and well-liked swimmers in Dalhousie and Nova Soctian history. An incredible athlete with a unique personality, Andrew’s ability to overcome and inspire has led him to a successful coaching career.

Born in Middleton, Nova Scotia Andrew began swimming at the age of six because his mom did not want him playing hockey in cold rinks. By age 11 he had developed a love for the sport and was swimming for the Dartmouth Crusaders under head coach David Fry.  Andrew says that one of his favourite things about swimming is that it is “a measurable sport where you can see your improvement.”

When he joined the Tigers in 1981 Andrew instantly felt like a welcomed member of the team. The head coach Nigel Kemp was on sabbatical so former Crusaders coach David Fry was leading the team. Andrew instantly found success in the Dalhousie pool and in his first season was an AUAA All-Star and named the team MVP. He was an AUAA All-Star, a CIAU All-Canadian and team MVP each of the five seasons he swam at Dalhousie.

In his second year Andrew was selected as team captain and he remained in the leadership position for four seasons. Primarily competing in the 100 metre and 200 metre breaststroke events, he set numerous AUAA, Dalhousie and Nova Scotia records, and only lost a single 100 metre breaststroke race in his entire AUAA career.

After four seasons with the Tigers, Andrew went to swim for the University of Toronto, but over holidays he suffered a broken leg from a sledding accident and was unable to finish the season. Doctors were unsure if Andrew would ever walk properly again. The healing process was long and tedious and Andrew was surprised to receive assistance from Dalhousie swimming head Coach Nigel Kemp.

By the fall Andrew has miraculously recovered and had decided to rejoin the Tigers for the 1986-87 season. Although the accident had severely damaged his leg, his competitive drive and teammates support pushed him forward for yet another winning year.

A highly decorated athlete, Andrew’s accomplishments include 17 AUAA championship medals, 11 gold and 8 silver, and eight CIAU championship medals; two gold, four silver and two bronze. He was named the AUAA Male Swimmer of the Year in 1983 and 1984 and Dalhousie’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1983-84. While at Dalhousie Andrew also excelled academically, earning degrees in both biology and kinesiology.

Andrew’s swimming career also included international events with Team Canada. He attended the Pan Pacific International Meet in 1988 and he competed in New Zealand in 1984 and Japan in 1988. Despite an incredible comeback effort following his leg injury he was unable to make the Olympic team, but has no regrets, as he knows he tried his best.

Once his athletic career had concluded Andrew remained involved with sport as a coach. He led club swimming in Truro, Nova Scotia for two seasons before completing a ten-year role as head coach for UNB from 1990 to 2001 with the exception of a single year sabbatical to work with the Canadian Olympic team in 1995. From 2001 to 2005 Andrew coached with David Fry at the National Swim Centre in Halifax where he had the opportunity to work with Tigers swimmers. Presently, Andrew is the swim team head coach at McMaster University, a role he has held since 2005.

Andrew’s contribution to sport in Nova Scotia has not gone unnoticed. In 1993 he was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame and in 2000 he was awarded the A.J. Sandy Young Award.