NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College athletic department has named Erik Ripley the Director of Swimming and Diving.
Ripley arrives at Merrimack after three seasons as an assistant coach of the Drexel University Dragons. He brings extensive experience in coaching and recruiting at the collegiate and high school levels.
"We're thrilled to welcome Erik to Merrimack and have him lead our swimming and diving program," Merrimack athletic director Joe Foley said. "We look forward to the experience, energy and perspective he will bring to the program."
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join Merrimack College and lead the swimming and diving program," Ripley said. "I'd like to thank athletic director Joe Foley, senior associate athletic director Shanna Alexander and the entire leadership team for their trust in me. There is tremendous momentum surrounding Merrimack Athletics, and I'm excited to get to work with our student-athletes and build a program that pursues excellence in the pool, in the classroom and throughout the Merrimack community."
Prior to his time at Drexel (2023-26), Ripley served as the head swimming coach at Chowan University (2021-22) and assistant coach at Saint Leo University (2018-21). Ripley also coached at the high school level and worked individually with swimmers through private instruction.
Ripley graduated from Towson University with a bachelor's degree in sport management and a minor in business administration. A four-year letter winner for the Tigers' swimming and diving program, Ripley earned the Tiger Spirit Award during his collegiate career. He also represented student-athletes on the Towson University Intercollegiate Athletic Committee and served on the Towson Student-Athlete Advisory Council, including one year as vice president. Ripley later earned his Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University in 2021.
