Tom Burton heads into his 11th year as head coach of men's and women's swimming and diving at Colby in the 2009-10 academic year. During his tenure the program has risen to the top tier of NESCAC swimming and diving and has gained national recognition.

Under his tutelage Colby swimmers have set 112 school records. As the conference level 16 swimmers have captured NESCAC titles while 72 have earned All-NESCAC honors. Nationally Colby has finished as high as eighth at the NCAA Division III Championships. Twenty-three swimmers and divers have competed at the NCAA meet, garnering 75 All-America and 13 College Swimming Coaches Association of America Academic All-America honors.

In recognition of his athletes' success, Burton was honored as the NESCAC Women's Swimming Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2005. He has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence seven times by the American Swim Coaches Association, most recently in 2007.

Burton previously served for six years as the head swimming coach at Lake Forest College, where his teams won eight conference championships. He served as the chair of swimming for the Midwest Conference Championships (MWC) for five years, was honored as MWC Coach of the Year three out of six seasons, and was Illinois Collegiate Coach of the Year twice.

During Burton's career his swimmers have competed in the NCAA Championships and have recorded 104 All-America performances, including a national title. In addition, his athletes have competed at both the Senior and Junior nationals, obtained U.S. Open and Olympic Trial qualifying standards, and earned Academic All-America, NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship, and GTE Academic All-America honors.

Burton also serves as assistant director of athletics at Colby since 2003 with responsibilities in budgeting and student leadership.

Assistant Coaches

Zachary Gray, Assistant Coach

Zachary Gray, a 2005 University of Maine graduate, returns for his second year as assistant swimming coach.

Gray swam for the University of Maine Black Bears in freestyle events and was named Most Improved Swimmer in 2002. He placed in the America East Championships in three events (200, 500, and 1650 freestyle) a total of 10 times in his four years.

Gray is currently the Director of Meets for the Maine Masters Swimming Association.

Andy Thompson, Diving Coach