UB Athletics Saddened by the Passing of Former Women's Swimming and Diving Head Coach Dorsi Raynolds
4/19/2018 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
BUFFALO, NY – Former University at Buffalo women's swimming and diving head coach Dorsi Raynolds lost her long battle with cancer and passed away on Monday. She was 54.
Raynolds served as head coach of the UB swimming and diving team from 1992 to 2005. She finished her 13-year career with the Bulls with 67 dual meet victories – at the time, the most in school history. Over her career, she placed 70 swimmers on all-conference teams, including two-time Mid-American Conference Swimmer of the Year and UB Hall of Famer Jennefer Brankovsky.
Prior to joining the MAC in 1998, Raynolds led the Bulls to five straight conference championships – first in the East Coast Conference in 1994, followed by four straight in the Mid-Continent Conference. She was named Mid-Continent Coach of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
"Our UB family is saddened by the passing of Dorsi Raynolds," UB Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Administration/SWA Kathy Twist said. "Dorsi made everyone feel accepted and welcome. Her fun-loving nature and gusto for life gave her student-athletes, friends and colleagues the inspiration to be brave and daring. What made Dorsi a great coach was her ability to see and believe in the potential of her student-athletes before they had any idea of who they could become."
Over her 32-year career, Raynolds also held coaching positions at Drew University, Northern Michigan, Boston University and Wells College. She most recently served as the swim coach and aquatics director at Upper Valley Aquatic Center in Vermont.
Raynolds was a 1985 graduate of Ithaca College where she was a standout swimmer. She was a 16-time All-American, four-time state champion in the butterfly and the New York State record holder in the 50 fly. She graduated with school records in the 100 and 50 fly. A two-time team captain, Raynolds helped the Bombers to four straight SUNYAC titles and was inducted into the school's hall of fame.
