The 2013-14 campaign marks the 12th season for Bill Farley as the head coach of the swimming team at Fairfield University.
During his time, Farley has established himself as the best coach in program history. In 2011-12, Farley recorded his 100th combined career victory at the helm of the Stags when the men's team defeated NJIT on February 4, 2012. Farley became Fairfield's all-time winningest coach for both the men's and women's teams during the 2007-08. Likewise, 37-of-37 women's school records and 36-of-37 men's school records have fallen during his tenure.
During the 2008-09 season, Farley led both the men's and women's teams to winning seasons and an improved finish at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships. He also coached freshman Michelle Yoshida to three MAAC titles in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle events. Yoshida, who is Fairfield's first-ever triple champion, set MAAC records in each event. Yoshida repeated as a triple champion in 2010 and won two more golds at MAACs in 2011, including a record-setting performance in the 100-back, and a gold and two silvers in her final MAAC Championship.
Farley set a new standard for the program with the recruitment and development of Brittany Hunter, one of the most highly decorated female swimmers in program history. Hunter graduated in 2007 as a part of 20 program records.
In 2006, Fairfield had its first female swimmer capture a MAAC Championship as Jennifer Masi completed the task in the 50-yard freestyle. Masi posted a time of 24.24 to not only shatter the school record but eclipse the MAAC record as well. Additionally, Farley guided the men's team to a fifth-place finish at the 2006 MAAC Championships, it remains the highest finish since the 1994-95 season. On the women's side, the Stags placed fourth for the second straight year.
Farley came to Fairfield with a wealth of international and Olympic experience, serving as head coach of Punahou Aquatics in Honolulu, Hawaii, from 1999-2002.
A graduate of the University of Michigan, Farley made a name for himself as one of the Wolverine's most decorated swimmers. A ten-time NCAA All-American, Farley competed on the 1964 U.S. Olympic team in Japan, and was also on the U.S. National Teams that competed in both Japan and Brazil in 1963. Academically, Farley received an undergraduate degree in education at Michigan in 1967, then moved over to Eastern Michigan where he earned a master's degree in education in 1968.
Farley's coaching experience dates back to the 1971 season where he began his career as the head coach of the men's swim team at Princeton University. He coached the Tigers to six-straight Eastern Seaboard Titles, as well as five Ivy League Titles. In 1972, he led the team to their first undefeated season since 1924, and in 1973 was recognized as the NCAA District II Coach of the Year. He had an overall record of 275-79, with a .776 winning percentage in his nine years as head coach. He also coached eight NCAA finalists, one NCAA Champion, and one Pan American Champion.
While at Princeton, Farley also started the women's program, serving as the team's first head coach. It didn't take him long to establish a winning tradition with his novice swimmers, as within three years he led his squad to the Eastern Women's Championship in 1974, a feat he would repeat in 1975. During this time he had seven All-American's, two National Champions, and one Olympic Team Alternate.
In 1979, Farley returned to his alma mater, the University of Michigan, where he served as head coach for two years. During that time the Wolverines had two second-place Big Ten finishes. He had an overall record of 23-5 and placed eight swimmers on the NCAA All-American Team.
Farley's coaching experience also includes serving as the Aquatics and Gymnastics Director in the International School of Manila, in the Philippines. He received great international experience as he administered the aquatics and gymnastics programs for more than 1,800 students as well as supervising 10 teachers and coaches. From 1984 to 1989, he acted as president of the Philippine International Association.
Since 1989, Farley has also taken on many business ventures both domestically and internationally. From 1989 to 1994 he was the Recreation Director of the Tokyo American Club in Japan where he oversaw the daily operation of all facets of the recreation department. In 1994, he moved to Hawaii and continued to pursue his business career. He was the owner and operator of Old Hanalei Coffee Company as well as Shave Ice Paradise.
Farley and his wife, Andrea, reside in Fairfield, Conn.
