Men's Swimming and Diving | February 13, 2018

Jeff Gershe has truly never stopped exploring. During his time at La Salle, Gershe put together an illustrious swimming career. A career that never ended, really.

This Saturday, Gershe will be one of four individual inductees to the La Salle Hall of Athletes. A graduate of 1989, Gershe will be the 21st athlete from the swimming and diving program forever engraved among La Salle's most accomplished athletes. During his collegiate career, Gershe, a distance swimmer, was a standout in the pool for Hall of Athletes inductee and long-time head coach John Lyons. 

"I am extremely excited to be inducted into the Hall of Athletes," he said. "It is an incredible feeling to be recognized by the Alumni Association for my accomplishments from almost 29 years ago. I loved competing for La Salle and now to be part of the school's permanent history makes what I achieved during my swimming career even more special."

Gershe had an illustrious career as a swimmer, earning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Most Outstanding Swimmer an incredible four times. He was also a four-time MAAC individual champion in three events: the 200, 500 and 1650 freestyle. 

As a freshman, Gershe finished third in the 1650 at the NCAA Eastern Championships. Looking back, he believed that not only showed others what he could do but proved it to himself too. Three years later, he won the event. He would later say that was his biggest individual accomplishment at La Salle. 

In 1988, he set school records in the 1000 free and the 1650 free that would be held for nearly three decades. In 1986, he was part of the 800 free relay team that hold the school record until it was broken just last season.

He was also part of some of the most successful swim teams in La Salle's history, helping lead the Explorers to MAAC team championships in 1986, 1987 and 1989. 

After a long list of accomplishments as an athlete, Gershe eventually graduated but his hard work and dedication continued to be passed down.
 
"Jeff set the standard for distance swimming here at La Salle and that standard stood for a long time," said current head coach of the swimming and diving team Jamie Platt. "The stories I have been told about Jeff - he led in a no nonsense way.  Really, he raised the standards and his impact can still be felt."

After Gershe's time at La Salle, he continued to be involved with swimming. These days, Gershe resides in the Davie, Florida, area where he owns an instructional swimming company called Just Swim. He started Just Swim in 2004 and has quickly turned it into one of the most respected swimming institutes in the area. He says that he runs his swim school with the same mentality that he had when he was an athlete at La Salle.

"The goal setting techniques I learned for swimming are now very similar for setting goals for my business. The dedication that was required for being a student athlete has helped me to overcome any challenges that I may have in my swim school and has definitely helped make it very successful."

In being honored by the school, Gershe's accomplishments, success, and hard working mentality will become a permanent part of La Salle.

"To represent the swimming program and join other amazing individuals in the Hall of Athletes is something that I will be proud of forever."

Jeff Gershe '89 will be inducted into the Hall of Athletes on Saturday, Feb. 17 following the men's basketball game against George Mason. This feature is the third of five that will be posted on GoExplorers.com this week, leading up to the induction ceremony.