University of Minnesota Athletics
Former swim coach Eckelkamp Passes Away
6/14/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
June 14, 2017 
Gopher Athletics is saddened to learn that former assistant men's swimming and diving coach Steve Eckelkamp passed away at his home on June 10, in Mount Juliet, Tenn. Eckelkamp was an assistant coach with the Gopher men's swim team from 1985-1989.
Funeral for Eckelkamp will be Saturday in Mount Juliet, Tenn. Flowers can be sent to St Stephen Church, 14544 Lebanon Rd, Old Hickory, TN 37138, OR a donation may be made to the American Heart Association in Eckelkamp's honor.
Eckelkamp was the Gophers' assistant swim coach from 1985-1989 under then head coach Dennis Dale. In his final year with Minnesota, Eckelkamp helped launch Minnesota into national prominence on Dale's staff. In 1989, the Gophers finished third in the Big Ten, their best league finish since 1963. The Gophers also finished 11th at NCAAs, which marked the best finish since 1967. In that same year, Minnesota held the Big Ten Swimmer of the Year (Dan Egeland) and Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Sean Quackenbush).
Following the 1988-89 season, Eckelkamp went on to become the men's and women's head coach at Florida Atlantic, a position he held until 2014. Eckelkamp served as a swim coach for over 30 years.
Eckelkamp is survived by his wife, Lisa, and his two sons, Yuri and Yurgun.
Gopher Athletics is saddened to learn that former assistant men's swimming and diving coach Steve Eckelkamp passed away at his home on June 10, in Mount Juliet, Tenn. Eckelkamp was an assistant coach with the Gopher men's swim team from 1985-1989.
Funeral for Eckelkamp will be Saturday in Mount Juliet, Tenn. Flowers can be sent to St Stephen Church, 14544 Lebanon Rd, Old Hickory, TN 37138, OR a donation may be made to the American Heart Association in Eckelkamp's honor.
Eckelkamp was the Gophers' assistant swim coach from 1985-1989 under then head coach Dennis Dale. In his final year with Minnesota, Eckelkamp helped launch Minnesota into national prominence on Dale's staff. In 1989, the Gophers finished third in the Big Ten, their best league finish since 1963. The Gophers also finished 11th at NCAAs, which marked the best finish since 1967. In that same year, Minnesota held the Big Ten Swimmer of the Year (Dan Egeland) and Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Sean Quackenbush).
Following the 1988-89 season, Eckelkamp went on to become the men's and women's head coach at Florida Atlantic, a position he held until 2014. Eckelkamp served as a swim coach for over 30 years.
Eckelkamp is survived by his wife, Lisa, and his two sons, Yuri and Yurgun.
Jacob Johnson - B1G Silver Medal
Saturday, March 01
YuTong Wang Wins 2024 Big Ten 1M Title
Monday, March 04
Max McHugh Wins Two B1G Titles
Monday, February 27
Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center
Saturday, May 21