Don Sammons was an Illinois swimmer in the 1950s, and was the Head Coach of the University of Illinois Swimming and Diving program for 23 years, from 1970 to 1993. 

During that time, his athletes rewrote the record book and enjoyed success at the Big Ten, NCAA and Olympic levels.  More importantly, Don’s impact has been felt by every teammate with whom he swam, and every athlete he coached, for generations of swimmers and divers.  Don’s optimism was the bedrock of his personality; as one person described it, “Don wasn’t a glass-half-full guy, he was a cup-is-overflowing guy,” and it was impossible not to be swept up in his enthusiasm.  Those attributes and life lessons were more important than anything his athletes experienced in the pool.