LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine University is mourning the loss of former swimming coach and recent Bellarmine Athletics Hall of Fame inductee John Brucato, who passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 63.
 
The founding coach of both the women's and men's swimming programs at Bellarmine, Brucato served in the head coaching role from 2012 until his retirement in 2023.
 
"We were deeply saddened to learn of John's passing," said Bellarmine athletics director Scott Wiegandt. "He was a great Bellarmine Knight, a prince of a man and a beacon for everything that is right in collegiate athletics. He will be sorely missed."
 
Just earlier this month, Brucato was honored with induction into the Bellarmine Athletics Hall of Fame, becoming its 180^th member and the first from the swimming program. He helped guide seven student-athletes to All-American status at the Division II level before leading the Knights into Division I.
 
Upon his hiring in 2012, Brucato said, "I believe my primary mission in coaching is to create an environment which complements the overall student-athlete's experience and adds to the personal growth which occurs at Bellarmine University."
 
In 2021, the Covington, Ky., native revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS.
 
When retiring, Brucato thanked the swimmers, their families and the coaching staff for helping him through his final two seasons. He also issued special recognition to his wife, Jan, "[the] love of my life, for helping me navigate through the challenges associated with this disease and being by my side for [then] 37 years."
 
Brucato is survived by Jan; daughter Katie (Pat) Kelly; grandchildren Olivia and Brooks Kelly; and siblings Mike (Lori) Brucato and Tom (Cyndi) Brucato.
 
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2 from 9 to 10:45 a.m. ET, followed by memory sharing and tributes from 10:45 to 11:20 a.m. ET and a funeral mass from 11:30 a.m. ET to 12:45 p.m. ET at Holy Family Catholic Church at 3938 Poplar Level Road.
 
Click here for his obituary on Legacy.com.