Passages: Colleen Lischwe, Water Polo Coach at McKendree University, 34
Colleen Lischwe, the head men’s and women’s water polo coach at McKendree University, died Wednesday in an automobile accident. She was 34 years old.
The university confirmed the death on Thursday.
Lischwe was named the head coach of the women’s water polo program in February 2017 and took over the men’s team in June of 2018. She had previously served for one season as a graduate assistant, the first season that Division II institution sponsored the sport, and was an assistant on the men’s team for two seasons. She was hailed by the university for her “unwavering dedication to her student-athletes and commitment to fostering an environment of growth, excellence, and leadership.”
“Colleen embodied what it means to be a servant leader and cherished her opportunities to teach and develop young men and women,” read a university statement. “She was a close friend and colleague to many and helped to create the special bond that exists within the McKendree community.
“A charismatic personality, the infectious smile that she had, and just how visible and hardworking and just there,” McKendree director of athletics Anthony Francis told NBC affiliate KSDK. “She never missed a moment.”
Lischwe was killed on Interstate 44 in St. Louis when the vehicle she was driving was struck by a semi-truck. A GoFundMe has been set up to support her family.
Lischwe was a native of Missouri and a two-time state player at the year at Kirkwood High School. The utility player competed at the Division I level at Marist University, winning a pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships and twice appearing in the NCAA Championships. Lischwe had served as the head water polo coach at her high school alma mater and as a cadet coach for the Midwest Zone of USA Water Polo’s Olympic Development Program, plus at the St. Louis Area Polo club.
Lischwe is survived by her husband, Casey, and a 3-year-old daughter.
