08/12/2026
Coach John O'Neill founded Providence College's swimming & diving program in 1984 and coached the Friars for 36 seasons, capping a career on deck that spanned more than four decades. On Saturday, September 12, 2026, you're invited to celebrate his retirement — that morning at Swim Across America's Rhode Island Charity Swim, that evening at the on-campus reception hosted by Providence College, or both.
John co-founded the swim in 2010. Held at Roger Wheeler State Beach, it's now in its 17th year and draws more than 1,000 swimmers and volunteers and 40 fundraising teams, including over 20 college swimming programs from across New England. Together they've raised over $3 million for cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island — more than $550,000 of that from Providence College Swimming & Diving fundraising. Swimmer check-in opens at 8:00 a.m., opening ceremony 9:30, swim 10:15. Register to swim or to volunteer — swimmer spots are nearly full, so act fast.
The Providence College reception begins with happy hour at 5:00 p.m. on the Langwell Family Plaza and Pavilion, just outside the Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences, followed by a reception inside from 6:00 to 8:00 and a speaking program at 7:00. Alumni, current and former swimmers and divers, colleagues, families, and friends are all invited to celebrate John and everything he has built.
Sign up separately for each event:
Register for the swim — https://www.swimacrossamerica.org/rhodeisland
Reception tickets — https://events.blackthorn.io/en/3iofXW6/g/BzkeJBjC3d/coach-john-oneill-retirement-celebration-4a6XUTZO2f/overview
