St. Lawrence University Athletics & Recreation mourns the passing of hall of famer Scott Woodburn, a visionary leader whose impact on Saints swimming and diving, and on the sport nationally, will endure for years to come. Woodburn passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
A native of Weathersfield, Conn., Woodburn arrived at St. Lawrence in 1970. When he stepped onto campus, there was no pool and no established aquatics tradition. Four years later, he was a national champion head coach.
As the first swimming and diving coach in St. Lawrence history, Woodburn laid the foundation for a championship mindset that defined the program in its infancy. Through a rare blend of competitive expertise and genuine community building, he established the Saints as a respected program while also opening the aquatics program to the North Country through learn-to-swim initiatives and community outreach.
His 1976 St. Lawrence men's swimming team produced one of the most remarkable accomplishments in NCAA history, capturing the national championship at the NCAA meet despite having the smallest roster among all competing institutions.
During his tenure, Woodburn coached nine All-Americans, two individual national champions, and three NCAA record holders.
Beyond results, Woodburn fostered a deep sense of camaraderie among his student-athletes; a bond that has continued long after their competitive days ended. He is survived by a large and deeply engaged group of St. Lawrence swimming alumni whose lifelong connections trace directly back to their time under his tutelage.
That legacy was on full display in the spring of 2024, when Woodburn was inducted into the Robert J. Sheldon St. Lawrence Athletics Hall of Fame at Appleton Arena. Friends, family, and former swimmers returned to campus in large numbers to respect the legacy he built.
Following his time at St. Lawrence, Woodburn continued his coaching career at the Division I level, serving as head coach at both the University of South Carolina and Louisiana State University.
He later devoted decades to athletic administration, with roles at LSU, Middle Tennessee State, the University of Rhode Island, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Woodburn's contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the Robert J. Sheldon St. Lawrence Athletics Hall of Fame and, most recently, the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame.
St. Lawrence University Athletics extends its deepest condolences to the Woodburn family and honors a legacy that will forever be part of Saints history.
