AMHERST, Massachusetts, September 12. Former Kalamazoo College standout Scott Whitbeck has been named assistant coach for the UMass swimming and diving teams as announced by women's head coach Bob Newcomb and men's head coach Russ Yarworth.
"We are excited about having Scott join our program," Newcomb said. "He brings head coaching experience to the deck and can only help to make our swimmers better."
"Scott adds a great work ethic and a wealth of experience to our program," Yarworth said. "We are very pleased to have him on deck with us!"
Whitbeck will assist in all aspects of training, recruiting and meet management for both teams. He joins the UMass program after working two years as the assistant swim coach and assistant aquatics director at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. There he helped in all facets of the program and helped coach Elizabeth Roesch who was the 2005 NCAA Division III 1650-yard freestyle national champion. He also worked as the assistant director of the Timken Natatorium where he taught collegiate level swim classes and was a staff member of the 2005 and 2006 Men's NCAA Championship Meets.
"I'm looking forward to working with Russ Yarworth, Bob Newcomb and with the UMass swim team," Whitbeck said. "I think this will be a great experience for me — not only to work under these coaches and with these athletes, but also as a stepping stone for my coaching career."
A 12-time NCAA All-American at Kalamazoo from 2000-2004, the Northville, Mich., native was the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) recorder holder in the 1650-yard freestyle and the team's varsity record holder in the 1000-yard freestyle, the 1650-yard freestyle and as a member of the 800-yard freestyle relay team.
In addition to his performances in the pool, the 24-year old Whitbeck was a three-time NCAA Academic All-American and recipient of the NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Award in 2004.
Outside of the collegiate coaching and swimming experience, Whitbeck has been head coach of the Newburgh Swim Club, assistant coach of the Great Lakes Aquatics Program, and a member of the Bulldog Aquatic Club.
In 2005, he became the United States Masters Swimming (USMS) 2.5K Open Water National Champion and the USMS national record holder in the 3,000-yard freestyle.
While working with the UMass programs, Whitbeck will work on his master’s degree in business administration and in sports administration.