Gannon University Athletics

Don R. Sherman Jr., Water Polo, Swimming and Diving Head Coach, Administrator (1996-2018): Don Sherman was a key figure in the history of the GU aquatics programs.
 

He coached the men's and women's swimming programs for almost a decade, and he started the men's and women's water polo programs and coached both teams for more than a decade. He also served as the Associate Athletic Director for 15 years until his retirement after spending more than two decades with Gannon Athletics.

He coached the men's and women's swimming and diving programs from 1997 to 2005 and led both of those teams to a 10-1 dual record during his final season in 2004-05.

In 2001, Sherman founded the Gannon men's and women's water polo programs. He coached the two teams for a combined 26 seasons – 14 as the women's coach and 12 as the men's coach. He compiled 312 career water polo victories, finishing with 175 wins with the women's team and 137 victories with the men.

Sherman was named Collegiate Water Polo Association Western Division Women's Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2007, and was the CWPA D-II Men's Championship Coach of the Year in 2014 when led the men to a title.

He led the Gannon women's team to a 9-1 record in the CWPA D-II Championships while recording three titles (2004, 2005, 2013). He was the CWPA Division II Women's Eastern Water Polo Championship Coach of the Year in each of those three years.

He served on the CAA Women's Water Polo National Championships Committee and the NCAA Water Polo Rules Committee from 2010-13.

He was previously inducted into the Erie County Aquatics Hall of Fame in 2017.

Sherman became Gannon's Associate Athletic Director in 2004 and served in that role until his retirement in 2018.

A graduate of Erie Technical Memorial High School, Sherman received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Sports Management from Slippery Rock University.

Don and his wife, Christine, have one son, Cody, two daughters, Cara, and Kimberly Stefaniak (Adam Stefaniak) and one grandchild, Cecilia Stefaniak.