Matthew Kohler succeeded both in and on the water, first as an All-American swimmer at IUP, later as an admiral in the United States Navy.
A native of Erie, PA, and a Pennsylvania State Champion and All-American swimming standout at Strong Vincent High School, Kohler earned four Collegiate All-America certificates between 1980 and 1983, then served 36 years in the Navy, retiring in 2020 with the rank of a three-star vice admiral.
Kohler joined coach Ralph Johnson’s program during the 1979-80 season and collected his first All-America citation at the NCAA Division II meet in Youngstown, Ohio. Kohler and teammates Dan Deacon, Bick Murphy and Kim Tyson finished 11th in the 400-yard freestyle relay in a school-record time of 3:10.66. He also joined IUP’s club water polo team as a freshman, and played for four years as a center.
Kohler added to his All-America haul as a junior at the national meet in Clarion by finishing seventh in the 100 free (47.35) and 11th in the 50 free (21.65). He wrapped up his IUP career in 1983 at the NCAA Division II meet in Long Beach, Calif., by placing 11th in the 100 free in a school-record 47.14. Kohler qualified for nationals in each of his four years at IUP. Kohler held school records that lasted for well over a decade in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events and as anchor leg in the 400 yard Medley and Freestyle Relays.
Kohler also won a 100 yard freestyle championship in the highly competitive PSAC as a senior. Kohler was included on the PSAC 75 list, released in September 2025, that honored 300 contributors, designated “Made in the PSAC,” who have gone on to influential careers after graduating from a conference school. He was also recognized with induction into the Eberly College of Business Hall of Distinction in 2022.
Kohler continued his athletic efforts after IUP, including several marathons, triathlons and winning Special Operations competitions in the U.S. and overseas, most recently in multi-year triathlon race series in Tampa Bay area and a 12.5 mile open water swim-around Key West race with his three of former IUP Swim Teammates – all 65 years old. He serves as CEO of Kohler Strategic Solutions LLC, a national security consulting firm, and is also a senior counselor for The Cohen Group, a strategic consulting firm in Washington, D.C.
Kohler received his bachelor’s degree from IUP’s Eberly College of Business in 1983 and earned master’s degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School in Computer Science in 1989 and in History from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1996.
Kohler and his wife, Melanie, also a standout IUP swimmer, reside in Apollo Beach, Florida. They have two children and former swimmers, Rachel and Max.
Personal Reflection
This humbling and unanticipated honor is all about those I love and care about. At IUP, I met my extraordinary wife of 40 years—a standout IUP swimmer—and formed close friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
My IUP education and experiences gave me a foundation that sustained and inspired me throughout my personal and professional journey, including 36 years of naval service and many demanding deployments and operations around the world. Those with whom I had the privilege of serving quickly learned how proudly and often I spoke of this remarkable place called IUP.
I would not change a single day of my four years at IUP. To receive this recognition alongside so many exceptionally talented and dedicated IUP swimming teammates is an honor beyond words.
