The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2017
Sport: Swimming (1988-92)
Inducted: 2017
An NCAA champion, 16-time All-American and a multiple medalist in inter- national competition, Dorsey Tierney distinguished herself as one of the Longhorns' premier breaststroke swimmers in her four years on the Forty Acres. Tierney was destined for greatness before she ever arrived in Austin. As a teenager, she won gold for the United States in the 200m breaststroke at the 1987 Pan American Games. She joined the Longhorns as a freshman during the 1988-89 season and made her presence felt immediately. Tierney placed fourth in the 200 breaststroke, fifth in the 200 IM and eighth in the 100 breaststroke and earned All-America honors in all three events. She helped the Horns to third place in the 200 and 400 medley relays as Texas placed second at the 1989 NCAA Championships. As a sophomore, Tierney swept the 100 and 200 breaststroke events and helped Texas to victory in the 200 and 400 medley relays at the Southwest Conference Championships. She earned All-America honors again in all three individual events, as she took third in the 200 IM, fourth in the 200 breaststroke and seventh in the 100 breaststroke at the 1990 NCAA Championships in Austin. She helped the Horns place third in the 400 medley relay and sparked Texas' run to its eighth national team title. As a junior, Tierney once again used a strong performance at the SWC Championships as a springboard to bigger things at the NCAA meet. She won the SWC title in the 200 breaststroke and helped UT win the league crown in the 400 medley relay. The next month at the 1991 NCAA Championships, Tierney placed third in the 200 IM and second in the 100 breaststroke before winning her first NCAA title while setting a NCAA record in the 200 breaststroke. She led the Horns to another NCAA title in the 200 medley relay, and Texas took home its second straight and ninth overall national team title. She punctuated her outstanding junior season with gold medals for the U.S. in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 4x100m medley relay at the 1991 Pan American Games. Tierney finished strong as a senior with SWC titles in the 200 IM, the 200 breaststroke and the 400 medley relay. She added NCAA runner-up finishes in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events and a fifth-place national finish in the 200 IM as Texas took second at the 1992 NCAA Championships. Tierney earned a bachelor's degree in English from UT in 1992 before embarking upon a successful collegiate coaching career that continues today. She has served head coaching stints at Indiana (women), Auburn (women) and Arizona State (men and women). Tierney is in her second season as the head women's swimming and diving coach at New Mexico.
