Mark Crouch (2026) - Hall of Fame

Mark Crouch

Induction:
2026
Class:
1975

One of the most revered swim coaches in the history of the State of Iowa, Mark Crouch left his mark on the men's program at UNI as a championship performer and All-American.

A native of Des Moines and a standout swimmer at Hoover High School, Crouch swam for the Panthers from 1972 to 1975 under Hall of Fame coach Glen Henry and quickly contributed to the program's championship success. Crouch was a part of four North Central Conference team championships during his time at Northern Iowa and also qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships three times, most notably earning All-American honors as a senior in 1975 as part of a sixth-place finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay at the national meet.

Crouch parlayed his collegiate career immediately into coaching, first at Williamsburg High School in 1975 before taking over as the head boy's coach at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, a position he would hold for 30 years until his retirement in 2017. Under Crouch's leadership, the Maroons became a force in swimming with over 28 All-Americans, 17 state champions and one National Male Swimmer of the Year. As a team, Dowling captured four consecutive state titles from 2000 to 2003, as well as 20 district team championships and 22 conference team titles.

A three-time Iowa Swimming Coach of the Year and 18-time Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) District Coach of the Year honoree, Crouch's teams posted a combined 229-28 dual record, which included a 134 dual winning streak from 1989 to 2004. Inducted into the Dowling Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016, he was simultaneously recognized as DCHS renamed the school's pool in his honor.

Crouch has been active with various swimming related projects throughout his career, including as a volunteer with Special Olympics Iowa and club swimming. In 2019, he was honored with the Distinctive Service Award by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association, and inducted into his high school's athletic Hall of Fame in 2020. Crouch was also named to the Iowa High School Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2023.

Crouch currently resides in Clive, Iowa with his wife Jacque. The couple have three children.