Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame Swimming Coach Paul Arata Passes Away
8/20/2019 10:45:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
The 16-year head coach of men's and women's swimming was 89
USAFA, Colo. – Legendary former men's and women's swimming head coach, and 2017 Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Paul Arata passed away Sunday, August 18, at the age of 89. Arata, a retired Lt. Col in the Air Force, was the Academy's head swimming coach for 16 seasons.
In those 16 seasons, which spanned from 1967-71, and then 1973-83, Arata compiled a men's record of 188-10 while his record with the women's team was 113-5-1 for a combined 301-15-1 mark, a 95 percent winning percentage.
During his reign, the men's team had six All-Americans in eight events and one national champion. On the women's side, there were six national champions in 12 events with 27 different women achieving All-American honors in 112 different events.
Arata was honored in the sixth Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame class in 2017.
In those 16 seasons, which spanned from 1967-71, and then 1973-83, Arata compiled a men's record of 188-10 while his record with the women's team was 113-5-1 for a combined 301-15-1 mark, a 95 percent winning percentage.
During his reign, the men's team had six All-Americans in eight events and one national champion. On the women's side, there were six national champions in 12 events with 27 different women achieving All-American honors in 112 different events.
Arata was honored in the sixth Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame class in 2017.
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