Former Middlebury swimming and diving coach Peter Solomon has been selected as one of 21 inductees into the 2026 College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Division III Hall of Fame Class. Solomon led the Panthers for 14 years from 1998 through 2011.
 
"Those of us involved in Middlebury Athletics when Peter was our swimming and diving coach are thrilled to see him honored with his induction into the CSCAA Division III Hall of Fame," said Director of Athletics Erin Quinn '86. "Peter was a valued and respected member of the Middlebury coaching staff and a tremendous colleague. This recognition is well-deserved as Peter was an outstanding coach, producing great individual and team results."

"To be considered for this award alongside these talented and dedicated coaches and athletes from around the country is incredible," said Solomon. "Having spent the majority of my 34 years as a collegiate swim coach in the NESCAC was a blessing.  Getting to work with the best of the best, in terms of student-athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators, for all those years has created some amazing memories and moments.  In particular, I am grateful for my time at the helm of the swimming and diving program at Middlebury College where coaching felt more like a lifestyle than a job.  Being surrounded by others in the athletic department and community who were just as passionate about their professions and the beautiful environment that we all got to work and raise our families in was such an enjoyable and unique period in my personal and professional life. A part of me will always bleed blue and I continue to cherish the "Middlebury Magic" that we were able to create on-deck, on the boards, and in the pool over the years."

Solomon's teams amassed 161 victories in his 14 seasons with the men's and women's programs. He boasted a .644 winning percentage across both teams and led his squads to team finishes of 10th or better in 10 NCAA Championships, including five consecutive on the women's side from 2003 to 2008.
 
Under his guidance, both programs compiled 10 of their 13 individual national championships. He helped Middlebury Athletics Hall of Famer Marika Ross '08 collect four national titles across the women's 100 (2007) and 200-yard butterfly events (2005, 2007, 2008), while fellow inductee Derek Chicarilli '02 was crowned on the 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards in 2001. Other national titles during his tenure included the women's 1,650-yard freestyle (Heidi George - 1998), the women's 1-meter dive (Tessa Truex - 2005) and the men's 100 and 200 fly (John Dillon - 2010).
 
Solomon coached 76 All-Americans across his Panther career. His 2002 men's team knocked off perennial league contender Williams to claim the only NESCAC Championship in the history of Middlebury swimming and diving programs.
 
He enjoyed a 29-year NESCAC coaching tenure, earning nine conference coach of the year honors, including five with the Panthers. He also spent four years at Amherst before joining Middlebury and helmed the Wesleyan programs for a decade following his stint in Vermont. He retired from his position in Connecticut following the 2022-23 campaign.
 
The 2026 class will be recognized at the CSCAA Awards Celebration, held during the organization's annual meetings in Chicago on Monday, May 4.