The NC State swimming and diving community is mourning the loss of Jack Roney, a former Wolfpack swimmer and volunteer assistant coach whose sudden passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from athletes, coaches and friends across social media.
News of Roney’s death was shared publicly by Braden Holloway, head coach of NC State men’s swimming and diving, in an emotional post on Instagram.
Holloway described Roney as someone who “made everyone around him better,” calling him a devoted husband to his wife Maresa and a loving father to their five young children. Holloway also credited Roney’s guidance during a pivotal moment in his own coaching career.
A Bond Built Through Wolfpack Swimming
According to Holloway, Roney served as his volunteer coach during the first year NC State won the men’s ACC championship after Holloway returned to the program. That season marked the beginning of a lasting friendship between the two men, one that Holloway said continued long after Roney stepped away from coaching duties.
Holloway wrote that Roney was defined by kindness, loyalty and an unwavering commitment to the people around him, along with a deep passion for Wolfpack athletics. He said Roney’s legacy would live on through his wife, his children, his former teammates, and everyone fortunate enough to have known him.
NC State Swimming and Diving also issued a statement on Facebook, honoring Roney as a former assistant coach and program alumnus. The team expressed condolences to the Roney family and noted that his influence on the program and the broader swimming community would not be forgotten.
Community Response Pours In
The news drew a wave of reaction from former teammates, coaches, and friends who shared memories of Roney online. Comments beneath the tribute posts described him as a devoted family man and a beloved figure within the Wolfpack swimming family. Several commenters, including fellow coaches and former athletes, sent prayers and condolences to Maresa Roney and the couple’s children.
One commenter recalled shedding tears upon learning the news, while others called it a shocking and heartbreaking loss for everyone who had crossed paths with him. Many messages emphasized how deeply Roney had touched the lives of those in the NC State swimming program, even years after his volunteer coaching ended.
In his post, Holloway asked the community to keep Maresa and the couple’s children in their thoughts during the difficult days ahead. He noted that a GoFundMe campaign had been set up for those who wish to support the family financially, with a link shared through his social media account.
As tributes continue to circulate across Instagram and Facebook, the outpouring of support reflects the impact Roney had both inside and outside the pool, remembered not only for his contributions to Wolfpack swimming but also for the character and warmth he brought to everyone around him.
