ST. PAUL, Minn. - Former Macalester College head swimming & diving coach Bob Pearson was among the 21-person College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the organization announced today. Pearson and the other inductees will officially be inducted into the CSCAA Division III Hall of Fame during the CSCAA Annual Awards Celebration on May 3, 2026 in Chicago.

Pearson spent 22 seasons as the head coach of the men's and women's swim & dive teams at Macalester. During that time, his athletes broke 168 school records, posted 69 All-MIAC performances and garnered 21 All-America citations. Pearson was selected the MIAC Coach of the Year four times on the women's side and once on the men's side, coaching standouts such as Macalester Hall of Famers Adam Burke '92, Sarah Smith '92, Karin Halvorson '01 and Heather Lendway '06.

Beyond coaching, Pearson has made many contributions to the sport by serving on multiple organizational boards in support of swimming and diving. He served on the Board of Directors for the CSCAA and was a member of the NCAA Swimming & Diving Rules Committee, serving as Chair from 2005-07. He also chaired USA Swimming's Safety Education Committee from 2001-03, and has been a long-time member of the Minnesota Swimming Board of Directors. In 2006, Pearson received the CSCAA's Richard E. Steadman Award, which recognizes a college, high school or club coach who has done the most to spread happiness in the sport.

A native of Anoka, Minn., Pearson attended Hamline University, where he was an All-MIAC swimmer before graduating in 1985. He later earned a Master's degree in Athletic Administration from St. Thomas.

Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA, reflected on the significance of this year's class. "Congratulations to the 2026 Division III Hall of Fame class. This recognition honors swimmers, divers, and coaches whose exceptional careers have made a lasting impact on Division III swimming and diving. We celebrate these inductees not only for their achievements in competition but for the meaningful contributions they've made to their programs, their communities, and the sport as a whole."

The CSCAA Awards Celebration will be held on May 3, 2026 at the Loews Chicago as a part of the CSCAA's annual meetings.

Click here to read the CSCAA's release.