Longtime Abbey Swim Coach Elected to RI Aquatics Hall of Fame

Longtime Ravens' Varsity Swimming Coach Robert Sahms has been honored by being elected into the Rhode Island Aquatics Hall of Fame. 

Robert has coached the swimming team with his wife, Christine, at since 1980 and has amassed an impressive 174-139-6 record during that time, including the Boys' EIL Championship in 2011 and 2012 and a number of Providence Cup Championships. 

He also served as head swimming coach of the Newport Wahoos YMCA team from 1995-1999 and won Southeastern New England YMCA championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Robert began swimming at the age of 8 at the York, PA, YMCA. He was a four-year All-American in high school and the Pennsylvania State champion for three consecutive years in the 100 Butterfly. 

His swimming excellence continued in college, where he was a two-year All-American at Elizabethtown College (PA) and was a captain for the team for two years.

Tom Gleason, whose three sons, Tom '05, Gus '07 and Luke '10, were coached at the Abbey by Robert, nominated him for induction into the Rhode Island Aquatics Hall of Fame, saying, "Robert's love of swimming is easily recognized...Robert believes that swimming is more than hard work and seemingly endless laps in practice...or the thrill of competition.

"Swimming is about life lessons. You can only do something about yourself.  You can't do better than your best. Robert's swimmers learn to realize that these life lessons — goal-setting, contributions to the team, never making excuses, being a good sportsman, and living out the Portsmouth Abbey mission statement of fostering reverence, respect and responsibility — transcend one's swimming career and help one live life to the fullest.

"He strives to live out that mission statement as a role model for his swimmers. His teachable moments last a lifetime."

Robert will be honored, along with the rest of the Hall of Fame Class of 2012, at an induction dinner on April 27.

Since its inception in 1981, the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame has recognized more than 175 individuals for their excellence in the aquatics field.

Congratulations, Robert!