Edward Sinnott

1954 - 2024

Edward "Eddie" Lawrence Sinnott, known as "Eddie, Nevs, Coach" was born in Greenwich on February 24, 1954 to Anita "Neats" and Lawrence "Bud" Sinnott. He was raised in Greenwich alongside his eight siblings; Ann ("Fanny"), Lloyd (Old Greenwich), Ellen (Greenwich, NY), Kate (Greenwich, NY), Larry (Gansevoort, NY), Johnny (Ballston Spa, NY), Alyce (Port St. Lucie, FL), Jimmy (Jacksonville, FL), and his nephew Ryan (Orange City, FL). He attended Saint Mary High School and held many local and state swimming records, including seven of the school's 11 best times. He was named Connecticut's AAU swimmer of the year in 1971 and 1972. Eddie excelled in all sports but his passion was swimming.

In 1972, Eddie began his studies at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas and joined the SMU Varsity Swim Team. Eddie was a four-year letter winner at SMU from 1973-76, Sinnott was the Southwest Conference Champion in the 400 IM in 1973 and an All American in 1973-74.

Eddie returned to SMU in 1990 as Head Coach after several seasons at LSU and Iowa State. Under Sinnott's leadership SMU team won 16 conference titles and Sinnott 16 conference Coach of the Year honors across five different conferences. The SMU team finished in the top 15 at the NCAA National Championship meet 11 times, and SMU athletes won 80 individual All-America honors and 59 relay All-America honors. The 1990s were the peak of the Sinnott era at SMU: the Mustangs finished in the top 10 at NCAAs every year from 1991 through 1998.

Internationally, Eddie served Team USA at the 1993 World University Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. He coached 11 Olympic athletes at seven different Olympic Games. SMU Olympic Gold Medalist include: Steve Lundquist, Ryan Berube from USA and Lars Frolander from Sweden. These swimmers were also named NCAA Swimmers of the Year during their time at SMU.

For his many accomplishments in swimming, Eddie was inducted into Greenwich Aquatic Hall of Fame by the YWCA at their second annual ceremony in 2006. His mother Anita was likewise inducted posthumously for her "dedication, sacrifice, and support" on behalf of competitive swimming in 2008.

Eddie was also honored at the Greenwich Old Timers Athletic Association's 53rd Annual Sports Awards Dinner in 2013, remarking on the occasion: "It's changed, but it hasn't changed--it's Greenwich. It is a real honor to be brought back home."

Sinnott was selected by his peers for the 2019 National Collegiate Scholastic Trophy. The trophy is presented annually by both the CSCAA and the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA).

In retirement, Eddie and Sioux moved to Stover, Missouri to join family. The Dale Hollow Winery became a place of love, friendship and community. Eddie enjoyed new friendships, new passions and embraced the community. He volunteered, he cheered and he found peace and great friends in the quiet of the Hollow.

Eddie's fight with melanoma was a battle he fought bravely to the end. He slipped away February 20th surrounded by his family and friends.
To have known Eddie was to love Eddie. He touched many lives, helped many learn to swim, taught many boys how to become men and taught everyone it was ok to cry. "Blue dress", "Nevs", He was red and blue SMU legend.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ann "Fanny" Sinnott and survived by his wife Sioux, daughters KC and Silver, grandchildren Slaiter, Saige and a family of many and a large community that loved him dearly.

The family thanks so many - The Stover Community, JCMG, Siteman Cancer Center, the nurses, staff and doctors at St Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City and Golden Ages Nursing Home in Stover, Missouri.

Eddie's life was celebrated in Stover, Missouri on Saturday, February 24 (his 70th birthday) at Dale Hollow Winery.

Eddie's life will also be celebrated in Dallas on March 15 at SMU in the Indoor Performance Center at 2:00 p.m.

Eddie requested donations be made to: Stover Community Betterment Council (501 3C) 2847 Highway 52, Stover MO 65078.