NC State mourns death of 39-year-old swim alum, former assistant coach
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- NC State University announced Jack Roney's death on Monday night.
- Roney left as program 200-yard breaststroke record-holder and coached from 2014–16.
- A GoFundMe had a $190,000 goal and had surpassed $109,000.
A former N.C. State swimmer and assistant coach has died, the university announced on Monday night.
Jack Roney, 39, died three weeks before his 40th birthday and days after his 15th wedding anniversary. No cause of death has been announced.
“We mourn the passing of former assistant coach and Wolfpack alumnus Jack Roney,” the athletic department said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roney family during this difficult time. His impact on our program and community will be remembered.”
He left N.C. State as the program record-holder for the 200-yard breaststroke — his record has since been broken — and served as an assistant coach during the 2014-16 seasons.
Head coach and N.C. State alumnus Braden Holloway said on social media that Roney was someone who “meant a lot to me personally.”
“He was my volunteer coach the first year we won the men’s ACC title after I came back to N.C. State — a year I will never forget,” Holloway wrote. “From that season on, we stayed close friends. Jack cared deeply, showed up for people, and brought steady love and belief into every room he entered. His legacy will live on through Maresa, their children, his teammates, his friends, and everyone lucky enough to know him.”
Roney, a 2009 graduate, leaves behind his wife, Maresa, and five children, Gunnar, Scout, Beau, Archer, and Crew.
Roney is originally from Florida but moved to Charlotte as a child. He attended Myers Park High School, where he became one of the state’s top swimmers. He won five state championships in 2002 and 2003, and he set a state championship record in the 200-yard breaststroke.
The former swimmer and his coach contacted several schools, including North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Florida State. He told Technician — N.C. State’s student newspaper — in 2007 that the Pack was the only school to pursue him.
“Chad Onken, who was the assistant here a few years ago, welcomed me. I knew a few guys on the team already, so he gave me the chance,” Roney said at the time. “So I just decided I’d come in, and I might as well try college swimming.”
He became a steady part of the N.C. State swimming lineup and trained alongside would-be Olympians Cullen Jones and Dan Velez.
Roney worked as the YMCA of the Triangle’s Director of Operations and Assistant Director of Competitive Swimming from 2009-14, according to his LinkedIn page. During that time, he also volunteered with Swim Across America. Roney entered the private sector in 2016 but remained committed to volunteer work and stayed in close contact with the Pack.
“I’ll forever be a Wolfpack fan because of you. Your name has a huge imprint on that school and their swimming and diving program,” Roney’s sister, Amber Moore, wrote on social media. “You were a motivator, you spoke with passion and were never too busy to help others. You led well and often. So many lives you touched in this way. I always looked up to you. I could never be as good as you, but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying.”
Maresa Roney attended N.C. State from 2006-10, where she was a member of the swimming program and earned a degree in biological sciences. She earned her doctorate in pharmacology from Campbell University.
A family friend set up a GoFundMe to assist with daily expenses, childcare and education costs for the Roneys’ children. The goal was set to $190,000 and already surpassed $109,000. Holloway and his wife donated $2,500 and are among some of the top donors.
This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 4:39 PM.
