JAMAICA, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College Athletics mourns the loss of former assistant men's and women's swimming coach Robert Trotman, who passed away on March 22, 2023.  He was 82 years old.  

Trotman impacted countless numbers of Cardinal student-athletes from 2002-16 during his tenure at York, working under his daughter, Jennifer Trotman, who led the program as head coach during that time. 

From swimmer and lifeguard, to becoming one of the most prominent minority-serving coaches in the history of swimming, For over half a century, Trotman inspired and guided thousands of young minority swimmers, coaches and parents to pursue swimming.  Trotman, who attended Queens College, was the owner and founder of the Nu-Finmen Swim Team, which has provided opportunities for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to swim since 1964.  The family-run swim team has been an elite member of USA Swimming, the national governing body of swimming after breaking a number of swim records and receiving recognition by the elite divisions of county, regional and national conferences and organizations.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational Swim Meet, started by Trotman, has become a tradition that brings a positive light to the diversification of the sport of swimming. 
The annual event aims to diversify the sport of swimming by inviting athletes of all walks of life to compete.

In 2014, Trotman was awarded the USA Swimming Diversity and Inclusion award for his extensive support and continual introduction of the sport of swimming to underrepresented groups.  

York men's and women's co-head swimming coach and women's swimming student-athlete alumna Paulana Lamonier '13 reflected about Trotman:

"During my time swimming at York College, Robert Trotman was an amazing coach who made me really understand the potential I had when I put hard work and time into practice. However, it was my years post-York that I realized his impact. There's no Black People Will Swim and Paulana, the coach, without Trotman and Nu Finmen and I'm sure many can say the same. My sincerest condolences to the Trotman family. May his legacy continue to live on. I'll make sure that's the case through this program."

Celebrate a life well-lived:

• Visitation at the Funeral Home
  • March 29 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Powell Funeral Home Inc. (67 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701)

• Wake Prayers
  • March 29 at 7 p.m.
  • Powell Funeral Home Inc. (67 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701)

• Funeral Mass
  • March 30 at 9:30 a.m.
  • St. Martin of Tours R.C. Church (37 Union Ave, Amityville NY 11701).

• Interment with Military Honors
  • March 30 at 11:45 a.m.
  • Calverton National Cemetery (210 Princeton Blvd., Calverton, NY 11933)

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