Dick Hannula is one of the most successful high school coaches in Washington state history. Hannula's swim teams at Wilson High School went undefeated in 323 meets, which included winning 24 consecutive state championships, the second longest state championship streak in National Federation of State High School Associations' (NFHS) history. He also won two boys state championships as the head coach at Lincoln High School.

Hannula began his coaching career in 1952 and retired 41 years later in 1993. He was one of the developers of the American Swim Coaches Association's Swim America Program. He has coached four U.S. Olympic team swimmers, including Kaye Hall, Olympic and world-record holder for the 100-meter backstroke, as well as Janet Buchan Elway, Chuck Richards, Dick, David and Dan Hannula, and Miriam Smith Greenwood among others.

Aside from Hannula's interscholastic success, he has also coached the Pan-American Games team and five U.S. International swim teams. He served as a manager for two U.S. Olympic teams and one Pan-American Games team.

Hannula was named the National High School Coach of the Year in 1980 and awarded the NISCA National Collegiate and Scholastic Swimming trophy in 1980. He is a member of the NISCA and International Swimming Halls of Fame.

Past Recipients of the Dick Hannula Amateur Athlete of the Year Award