Providence Reporter

Westfield State has selected Charlie MacDonald as the next head coach of women's swimming and diving, athletic director Richard Lenfest, Jr. announced on Monday.

MacDonald is a familiar face in New England swim circles, as he both competed in swimming at Bridgewater State as an undergraduate, and coached with the Bears as an assistant after graduation.

MacDonald will be only the second head coach in the history of the Westfield State University swimming and diving program, as he will succeed Dave Laing, who retired at the conclusion of the 2022 season after 40 years at the helm at Westfield State.

"We were happy to find Charlie as a candidate who has experience both as a coach and former student-athlete in the league, and has some familiarity with our program coming in," said Westfield State Director of Athletics Richard Lenfest, Jr. "Obviously, following in Dave Laing's footsteps is a tall order for anyone to fill, and represents a significant change for our student-athletes and department.   Charlie brings good pedigree as a coach with experiences at Bridgewater, Tufts and Cedar Crest, as well as with a variety of camps and programs, and we look forward to him putting his own trademark on Owls swimming and diving while continuing the success and character our program has historically had."

"I am incredibly excited to be coming in to Westfield State," said MacDonald.   "It's a real privilege to continue what Dave has started with Owls swimming.   He's done such an incredible job and I want to continue what he has done and keep the program moving forward."

"I have had the privilege of swimming and coaching against Dave's teams at Bridgewater, in the NEISDA and Little East Conference meets, and he has an incredible reputation and I have watched a lot of the things he has done with the team," said MacDonald.  "At this year's conference meet it was terrific to see the farewell that he received and hear all the remarks from the coaches, and have a chance to congratulate him, and he goes out on such a high note after being named coach of the year.  It's very cool to be taking up that legacy."

"I have a philosophy to win conference championships, but a series of goals to always be moving up.  Westfield State has a nucleus of good, young athletes on the team, and I am looking forward to build on that."

MacDonald was introduced to swimming alumni at Friday's Swimming Reunion Dinner and the Celebration of Coach Laing's career.

MacDonald's  four-year swimming career at Bridgewater included earning the Lee Harrington Unsung Hero Award, which is awarded by BSU Athletics Department to the athlete who demonstrates exceptional leadership skills and sportsmanlike conduct outside of competition and the Bob Taft "Joy of Swimming Award,"  which was awarded by BSU Swimming and Diving Coaches to the athlete who displays outstanding leadership qualities.

He also was a two-year team captain, and president of the school's Athletic Captains Council President.

His teams won three straight Steve Looke Sportsmanship Awards (2013-2015) from the New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Association.

"When I got to Bridgewater, it was a small program, and both as an athlete and an assistant coach I was proud to see it grow.   (Bridgewater State coach) Mike Caruso has been a great mentor, resource, teacher and friend, and to be part of BSU's first-ever conference championship this year was something I'll never forget."

Originally from Braintree, Mass., MacDonald holds USA Swimming coaching certifications, as well as Red Cross Certifications for safety, first aid, CPR and lifeguarding.

In addition to two stints as an assistant coach at Bridgewater State, most recently since 2019, he spent two years as the head women's swimming and diving coach at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa., where his team was the conference runner up in 2018, and he twice earned the NEAC's women's swimming and diving coach of the year award.

He spent one year as an assistant coach at Tufts University, and worked with swim camps hosted at NCAA Division I institutions in Auburn and Virginia Tech.

MacDonald also serves as a health and physical education teacher at St. Leo School in Leominster, Mass.  He holds a bachelor of science in physical education and a concentration in coaching from Bridgewater State University and a Master's of science degree in physical education from Bridgewater State as well.

He will begin duties at Westfield State effective July 1, 2022.

Original source can be found here.