A thank you letter from a grateful swimmer.
Every year, Lincoln’s swim coach Tom Diiorio would tell his swimmers the same thing: “This is my last year coaching.” It became something of a tradition, a running joke shared by swimmers past and present. And every year, despite his announcement, he would return to the pool deck, continuing the legacy he had built at Lincoln High School. Until now.
After 20 years of coaching, Coach Diiorio is officially stepping away for good. His retirement marks not just the end of a season, but the end of an era. For two decades, he has been the constant presence shaping Lincoln High School’s swim team — building a team defined by dedication, character, and heart, and leaving behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten.
Diiorio’s success can’t be measured in wins or records alone even though he earned over 100 victories throughout his career. While those accomplishments are impressive, they don’t fully capture his impact. Instead, his legacy is best reflected in something far more meaningful: sportsmanship. Year after year, the Lincoln High School swim team has earned the sportsmanship award, a recognition that speaks volumes about the culture he built. It comes directly from the example he sets. Diiorio has always emphasized creating an environment where swimmers don’t just compete; they support one another.
He has a unique ability to turn a group of individuals into a family. Practices didn’t just focus on technical perfection, but perfecting a relationship with one another. Diiorio knows how to make everyone on the team feel valued. The sense of belonging is what kept swimmers coming back season after season, and perhaps, what kept him coming back too.
His dedication to supporting others extends beyond Lincoln High School. Being inducted into the URI Aquatic Hall of Fame is a testament to his long-standing commitment and influence in the swimming community. It’s an honor that reflects not only his knowledge and skills as a coach, but also the respect he has earned over the years.
More than anything, Coach Diiorio is remembered as someone who truly cares. He is the kind of coach who shows up, not just at meets, but in life people. He celebrates their successes, supports them through challenges, and leaves a lasting impression that goes far beyond the pool.
As senior swimmer Abigail Marzetta shared, “Coach Tom, words cannot describe how grateful I am to say he was my coach. I not only saw him as a coaching figure but someone I could actually count on advice for. His care for the LHS Swim Team truly showed how much every single person meant to him. He has been there for me when times were rough and always knows exactly what to say when you’re feeling down. He will be very missed as he takes on retirement, but will always be a part of the LHS Swim Team.”
Now for the first time in 20 years, when he says he’s done, he truly meant it.
It’s hard to imagine the Lincoln High School swim team without him on deck, making swimmers do dry lands (stretching outside of the pool), offering advice or telling a well-timed joke. His absence will be felt deeply, not only by current swimmers but by generations of alumni who carry his lessons with them.
So this isn’t just a farewell; it’s a thank you.
Thank you, Coach Diiorio, for the years of commitment, for the countless hours, for building a team that feels like family, and for shaping not just better swimmers, but better people. The impact you’ve made will continue to ripple thoughout the Lincoln swim community for years to come.
You may finally be stepping away, but your legacy will never leave the water.
