By Arianna Higuera
PHOENIX, Arizona, March 4. FOUNDED in 1949, Grand Canyon University is Arizona's only private Christian university. Through its revitalization efforts, GCU is rapidly moving forward with expanding its athletics program, including swimming.
In 2007, Brad Hering was named GCU's first swimming coach for a team that will compete at the Division 2 level in NCAA competition. Knowing the struggles that would take place while starting a new swim team, Hering took the opportunity of a lifetime. However, he's had some troubles navigating the NCAA landscape in the process of creating the new squad.
"The biggest problem I have had with the NCAA and the clearinghouse is that they do not seem to be accountable to anyone for their mistakes," Hering said. "We had a few athletes held back from important competitions because there were somehow two files created that were incomplete. After the mistake was realized, there were no letters of apology to the athletes and the experience for the student-athlete was lost. I do respect their idea of trying to make the ‘regular' student and the student-athlete equitable as much as possible and to prioritize academics, so athletes are not overextended. I am using those very athletes next year to be my extended clearinghouse FBI for those new athletes who think they can't get caught in the web of incomplete files for the NCAA."
Hering continues to use the trials and tribulations of creating a new program as motivation to keep his nose to the grindstone.
"When I think of the struggles in starting this first Grand Canyon University swim team, I am convinced that I am just another spoiled rotten American who is used to getting my way," Hering said. "When I thought about starting the program from scratch, I was reminded of what Will Smith said in the movie Hitch as he quoted what the word perseverance means; ‘continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition or previous failure.' The fundamental struggle with the launch of this team was more of a deep battle with a question in my soul. Until I could somehow see that I was impacting the lives of these athletes daily, I could easily lose heart and be discouraged."
With years of coaching experience and as an accomplished swimmer himself, Hering came to GCU to make a difference in the lives of others and to leave an impact on the next generation. With more than 16 years of experience coaching Olympic-caliber athletes, having Hering on board with GCU was an athletics director's dream. Hering's qualifications include serving as the head coach for the Brazilian National Team and Olympic Team for the 1988 Olympics, as well as his six years of Division I coaching experience in Arizona. Hering was also a member of six United States National Teams and won four United States Masters Swimming national titles.
From 1997-2003 he enrolled in seminary courses in Washington, ultimately becoming the Pastor of the Church Cathlamet Christian Fellowship. Hering also entered the short course Masters National Championships in 2007 and won four sprint events in his age group, allowing him to discover the personal challenges that swimming provides. He left his role as a Pastor in the church to use his experience to influence the next generation through the art of swimming.
In light of Hering's coaching and personal experience in swimming, he will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to GCU. Hering has many goals in the years to come including placing his swimmers and relays in the finals at the Division II Nationals. Underlying all of his goals for GCU is his desire for the school to be known for more than top level athletes and to be recognized for its young people who are full of grace and truth in action.
Working closely with Hering are assistant coaches Robi Zeyssig, and Randy Bellah, the Director of Aquatics for GCU and an accomplished Arizona swimming coach. Both men bring substantial experience and ability to GCU's swimming program.
Although new to the swimming scene, these athletes have an exciting swimming career ahead of them with a head coach whose work ethic, experience, and drive has allowed him to rise to the top of the sport. GCU's swimmers will not only receive the benefit of lessons learned from Hering as their coach, but also greater life lessons from Hering as their mentor and friend. It is this unusual combination that will allow GCU to thrive, both in and out of the pool.
