Ploessel announces retirement after 26 years
ORANGE, Calif. – After more than a quarter century on the pool deck, Chapman University swimming & diving head coach Dennis Ploessel has announced that he will retire after the 2021-22 season. In 26 years at Chapman, Ploessel has overseen tremendous growth in the aquatics program at Chapman.
"Dennis has given over 25 years of his career to Chapman and overseen a period of substantial growth," said Director of Athletics Terry Boesel. "We are proud that he chose to make Chapman his home for the last 26 years and wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement."
"It's been an absolute pleasure. Chapman has been a home and a family for me," Ploessel said. "The staff are great to work with. The student-athletes are amazing. It's been a great 26 years."
When Ploessel first arrived at Chapman in the late 1990s, he inherited a women's swim team that consisted of four swimmers and a men's water polo team with eight players. Chapman did not have a facility of its own as both teams practiced and competed at the pool located across that street at Orange High School.
A few years into his time at Chapman, Ploessel started a women's water polo program that he coached for six years before turning over the reins to his oldest son, Eric. He continued to coach the men's water polo team until 2006 when Eric took over the program.
In the fall of 2008, Chapman's aquatic programs received a boost with opening of the Allred Olympic Pool and O'Bryan Aquatics Stadium. For the first time, Chapman's swim & dive and water polo teams had an on-campus home. When the Panthers joined the SCIAC, Ploessel oversaw the addition of another program with the creation of a men's team.
"There is no one memory in particular. I think what I'll remember the most is just how the program has changed over the years. From starting out at Orange High School – it was very different over there – to where we are now, just the growth over all this time will be my fondest memory."
In his final year at Chapman, Ploessel appreciates the growth that has been made in aquatics at Chapman. His swim team rosters now combine to have more than 60 swimmers and both water polo teams compete with a full roster.
In his 26 years, he has seen one swimmer and one diver achieve a berth in the NCAA Championships with Katie Wise placing eighth in the 200 IM at the 2004 NCAA Division III Championships. He has coached four Academic All-District selections in swimming, two in men's water polo and two more in women's water polo. He also coached eight ACWPC All-Americans in men's water polo. Since joining the SCIAC, Ploessel has led the women's team to a third-place team finish three times, including the last full season in 2019-2020.
When Ploessel mentions that Chapman is his family, he truly made the aquatics program into a Ploessel family affair. He had one son swim for him and another play water polo. His oldest son, Eric, joined the Chapman coaching staff in 2004 and another son, BJ, continues to serve as an assistant coach on both water polo teams.
When asked what's next for a longtime swim coach, Ploessel simply states he is looking forward to sleeping in more.
"I just want to sleep in more," Ploessel chuckled. "I live just up the street. I'll still be around, supporting Chapman and helping my son as much as he'll have me. I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life but I'm not sure exactly what that is right now. I know it definitely involves sleeping in with no more 6 a.m. practices!"
Ploessel will lead the Panthers into one final championship meet Feb. 16-19 at Splash! in La Mirada, Calif. He will officially retire at the end of the academic year at which time a search will be conducted to name Chapman's next Head Coach.
By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director
Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports
Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChpmanSports