Longtime Rochester coach and administrator William 'Bill' Boomer, who was considered one of the leading authorities on swimming technique, passed away on January 9. He was 84. At Rochester, he was the head coach of the swimming and diving team and the men's soccer team. He also served as an assistant coach for field events with the track and field team. He was inducted into the University's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
 
He coached the swimming team from 1962-90 with a record of 168-107. From 1984-87, he directed Rochester to four consecutive New York State Championships. Fifty-seven swimmers won 118 All-America honors. He won the 25-Year 'Distinguished College Swimming Coach' award from the College Swim Coaches Association in 1988. Two years later, the CSCA bestowed its Master Coach award on him. He coached with the track and field team from 1962-69 and served as head coach of the men's soccer team from 1964-69.
 
Boomer contributed internationally as well. He was the technique coach for the United States Olympic Men's and Women's Swimming Teams. The 2008 games were his fourth Olympiad in that position. He was as an assistant coach and technical assistant at Stanford University in the 1990s. He worked as a volunteer assistant at Princeton University and the University of Tennessee.
 
His contributions continued away from the water at Rochester. He was part of the design team for the Speegle Wilbraham Aquatic Center in 1982. From 1976-80, he was the Faculty Representative to the All-Campus Student Judicial Council. He was the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students for Judicial Affairs from 1990-92. He served as Associate Director of Athletics for Recreation and Wellness in 1992, as the University's Director of Recreation and Intramurals from 1970-92, and Director of the University's Physical Education Program from 1975-79.
 
Boomer earned his B.S. from Springfield College in 1961. He earned an M.Ed. from Rochester's Warner School of Education in 1963.