Shippensburg University's Tim Verge '89 has announced his plans to retire as the head coach of the men's and women's swimming teams, effective June 30.
 
Verge directed the swimming teams at his alma mater for a total of 27 seasons.
 
"It has been a wonderful journey," Verge said. "I've been very blessed over the years as a coach to experience some euphoric moments with some wonderful student-athletes. I've always been very proud of the commitment my teams have put into striving for great academic success. Personally, one of the things I feel the best about is that I've never missed a graduation in all my years."
 
With the exception of the 2009-10 academic year in which he assisted the athletics administration by serving as Shippensburg University's acting assistant director of athletics, Verge was the lead instructor for the swimming teams since the 1998-99 season.
 
"I think I've enjoyed my teams lately more than I did years ago; I've probably gotten softer," Verge said. "It has made it a lot of fun these last few years especially. But it's just time. I think I've just run out of gas to give it my everything every day which the team deserves."

Verge directed Shippensburg University Swimming to prominence at both the conference level and the national level. In Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) competition, Verge coached 15 women's teams to a Top 5 finish at the conference meet, including four Top 3 finishes, and nine men's teams to a Top 4 finish at the conference meet, including five Top 3 finishes.

"Above all, I want to say a very special thanks to my wife Staci," Verge said. It's definitely not always been easy, with the moves and different issues that have come up. But she has stood by me and loved me through it all. And without question, a big thank you to my parents as well. Getting me into swimming is where it all started."  
 
Raider swimmers were also able to translate their conference success to the NCAA Division II National Championships under Verge's direction. Verge coached seven All-America First Team swimmers on the women's side, including 17-time All-America honoree Erin Goodhart '04.
 
Overall, Verge coached more than 25 NCAA women's championship qualifiers, including seven relays that earned All-America honorable mention during a four-year span from 2009-12. Most recently, Gabriella Johnson was named an All-American in 2020 and Stephanie O'Toole earned All-America First Team honors in 2018 with a fourth-place finish in the 200-yard IM. Three men's swimmers reached prominence at the NCAA Championships under Verge's direction, including All-America honorable mention recognition for Mike Owen and John Hughes.
 
"I've had some great colleagues and support over the years. Jeff Michaels, Carrie Michaels and Ashley Grimm are such strong supporters of all of our student-athletes here at SHIP and I want to thank them for their leadership of our department," Verge said. "I also think we have the very best support staff – athletic training, sports information, equipment, strength & conditioning and academic support – of any school in our conference, and I'd put them up against most in the country. They definitely make our jobs as coaches a lot easier."
Verge's swimmers have maintained excellent success in the classroom. His teams have annually achieved College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America Team honors during each of seasons directing the Raiders, and on multiple occasions, the swim teams have achieved Top Team GPA awards among all of the sports offered at Shippensburg.
 
Overall, Verge worked 36 years as a collegiate coach. He began his career as an assistant at Edinboro for three seasons (1989-90 – 1991-92) before moving to Northern Arizona (1992-93 – 1993-94) for two seasons and Arizona State for one season (1994-95).
 
His head coaching career began at Ashland University, where in his three seasons directing the Eagles (1995-96 – 1997-98), he coached more than 20 individuals who combined to earn more than 60 All-America honors, 

Among the many outstanding swimmers Verge coached at Ashland included two national champions – David Kalange (200-yard butterfly in 1996) and Jamie McDaniel (50-yard freestyle in 1997, 50 and 100-yard freestyle in 1998). McDaniel was the first woman to go sub-23 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle at the NCAA Division II Swimming Championships; she broke two national records and was named the 1998 NCAA Division II Women's Swimmer of the Year.
 
Verge's announcement culminates a Shippensburg career that dates back to his time as a collegiate swimmer. He swam for SU from 1986-89, serving as a senior co-captain in the 1988-89 season when the Raiders placed fourth at the NCAA Division II National Championships – the highest team finish in school history.
 
"I am honored to have swam at SHIP under the late Donnie Miller," Verge said. "He taught me so much, and seeing his impact on young men really helped me decide what I wanted to do with my life. So, you can imagine how very special it's been to coach his granddaughter, Jenna Ober, the last few years. I am definitely fortunate to have led my alma mater for so long."
 
Verge's Coaching Tenure

• 1998-99 – 2008-09; 2010-11 – present (27 seasons): Head Coach, Shippensburg Men's & Women's Swimming
• 1995-96 – 1997-98 (3 seasons): Head Coach, Ashland Men's & Women's Swimming
• 1994-95 (1 season): Assistant Coach, Arizona State Men's & Women's Swimming
• 1992-93 – 1993-94 (2 seasons): Assistant Coach, Northern Arizona Men's & Women's Swimming
• 1989-90 – 1991-92 (3 seasons): Assistant Coach, Edinboro University

NCAA First Team All-Americans at Shippensburg

• Gabriella Johnson (2020, 100 and 200-yard breaststroke)
• Stephanie O'Toole (2018, 200 IM)
• Julie Brown (2013, 50 free)
• Erin Goodhart (2001-04; 200 free, 500 free, 1,000 free, 1,650 free)
• Kim Magnanelli (2001-04, 200 back)
• Kellie Brady (1999, 50 free)
• Lyndi Croft (1999, 200 breast)

Verge's Coaching Accomplishments at Shippensburg

• 67 NCAA All-America (First Team + Honorable Mention) Classifications
• 18 PSAC individual champions
• 2 PSAC relay champions
• 3-Time PSAC Men's Swimming Coach of the Year (2006-07, 2008-09, 2021)
• CSCAA Scholar All-America classifications in every season