Illinois Tech Hires Kate Chronic to Lead Swimming and Diving Program
Illinois Tech last week announced the hiring of Kate Chronic as the school’s swimming and diving head coach.
Chronic will lead the men’s and women’s programs for the Division III school. She takes over for Billy Bafia, who had served as an interim coach for two years, winning a Liberal Arts Conference Championship in 2022 and sending swimmers to NCAAs each of the last two years.
“I’m honored and excited to join the Scarlet Hawk family,” Chronic said in a university release. “There’s such rich tradition here. The Swimming & Diving team is an amazing group of student-athletes truly dedicated to their sport. I’m excited to join the team and share in their continued successes.”
“We are excited to have Kate Chronic join us as the Head Swimming & Diving Coach for the Men’s and Women’s programs,” Bafia said. “Her extensive background and proven success in coaching will help our team shine on the competitive platform as we look to continue moving up in the Liberal Arts Conference Championships meet and sending more athletes to NCAA Division III National Championships. Kate’s strong background in working with student-athletes will translate seamlessly to our academic environment and will be the continued support our students need to remain successful in both the classroom and pool. Our entire staff looks forward to working with Kate and our student-athletes.”
Chronic, an All-American swimmer at the University of Tennessee, has spent the last 30 years coaching at all age levels. She founded and served as the head coach of M3 Aquatics in Chicago, working with athletes as young as five on community-based learn-to-swim programs.
From 2013-20, she was the head coach and director of Midway Aquatics Club at the University of Chicago, while also coaching University High School’s boys and girls programs. All were based at UChicago’s facilities.
Chronic also had head coaching stops at Libertyville High in Illinois, Excel Aquatics in Tennessee and Homewood Flossmoor Swim Club in Illinois.
“I am thrilled to have Kate Chronic as our new Head Swimming and Diving Coach,” Illinois Tech athletic director Usha Gilmore said. “She brings a wealth of experience with her. Being a former Division I swimmer, she understands the importance of academics and swimming competitively. She has developed a number of great student athletes in her swim programs. We are excited to have her join our team.”
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