One of the best and brightest rejoined the AquaBombers as a coach in the Fall of 2022. Gerry Vondenbrink was a true student/athlete while earning his diploma with honors from St. X in 1982. A National Merit semi-finalist, he distinguished himself at the highest level – a pattern that resonates today.
A member of three Ohio State championship teams, he worked his way to Canton as a junior and named the squads Most Improved Swimmer. But more was to come as Vondenbrink qualified in the 200 IM and 500 Free as a senior. Scoring in the 500 with a time of 4:42.67, he earned a spot on the Long Blue Lane’s Top 50 that would last for 34 years – a swim that would have scored at State in 2023. Gerry also played polo for St. X. His distance free achievements extended to Junior National swims in the 1000 and 1650, while representing the Cincinnati Marlins.
Vondenbrink attended the University of Virginia where he earned a spot at the 1983 ACC Championships in the 1000 and 1650. He also played club water polo for the Cavaliers, qualifying for the Eastern US Clubs championship as a junior. He graduated from Virginia with a BA in Economics and History.
Coach Vondenbrink continued his education, earning his juris doctorate from the University of Cincinnati in 1990. He also represented UC Law on the Rugby team. His final year he worked with Judge John Keefe (father of coach Tom Keefe) in the Common Pleas court.
Sports clearly have been a theme of Vondenbrink’s life as he coached lacrosse for nearly twenty years, most recently, at The Summit Country Day School. In 2024, he joined the Water Polo staff at St. X. His hobbies include fly fishing, golf and an occasional dip in the pool.
He recently retired after 30 years working at Lexis Nexis. He and his wife Tricia reside in Evendale and are members of St. Michael Parish. Their son, Ben, is a 2013 St. X grad, while daughter, Kate graduated from Ursuline in 2017.
