Robert J. H. Kiphuth

Who was Robert J. H. Kiphuth?

Robert John Herman Kiphuth was born in Tonawanda, New York and is best known for his 41-year career as head coach of the Yale University men's swim team, from 1918 to 1959. During his tenure with Bulldogs swimming and diving, he amassed a record of 528 wins to only 12 losses, along with four NCAA titles, earning him a reputation for being the winningest coach in history.

Kiphuth also served as the head coach for multiple U.S. Olympic swimming teams. For a few years near the end of his career, he doubled as Yale's athletic director, a job he eventually left to return his focus to coaching. He was largely responsible for the modern sport of swimming, which he shaped by introducing such innovations as dryland workouts and interval training.

From 1951 to 1961, Kiphuth was the publisher of Swimming World Magazine.

Kiphuth was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Lyndon Johnson on December 6, 1963. He had been chosen to receive the award by President John F. Kennedy.