NAIA University of Saint Mary to Add Men’s, Women’s Swimming Next Year

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Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden

The University of Saint Mary announced men’s and women’s swimming will be added to their list of athletic programs for the 2018-19 season. The addition of these teams make USM one of only three institutions of higher education in Kansas to field Men’s and Women’s Swim Teams.

Bresser HeadshotUSM has hired David Bresser to build and lead both the men’s and women’s teams.

“It is an absolute honor to be named the first head swimming coach at Saint Mary,” said Bresser. “This is not only a great opportunity for Saint Mary to add to its competitive athletic programs, but an incredible opportunity for the sport of swimming in the state of Kansas. I look forward to building teams that compete hard in the pool and perform exceptionally well in the classroom.”

Bresser comes to USM with years of coaching experience—including five years as head coach for girl’s swimming and assistant coach for boy’s swimming at Lansing High School and two years at Platte County High School. In 2017, he was named “Kansas High School Swim Coach of the Year” and led the team to its first league championship with the most state-qualifiers in school history.

“Coach Bresser is an outstanding leader and coach, with an impressive list of accomplishments and accolades,” said Athletic Director Rob Miller. “His coaching philosophy puts scholarship, leadership, and sportsmanship first, and that complements our focus on building Champion of Character student-athletes. Our program is in great hands—and I look forward to seeing where Coach Bresser takes the teams.”

In addition to his success as a coach, Bresser has served the United States Army in a variety of assignments for nearly 25 years, while he also holds a Level 3 Masters Coach Certification with U.S. Masters Swimming, a non-profit organization providing membership and training to more than 64,000 swimmers across the nation.

Bresser earned his Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering (Human Factors Engineering) from the United States Military Academy (West Point, N.Y.), where he swam varsity for four years and was named team captain his senior year. His coaching career began at West Point after being named the team’s graduate assistant coach following his senior season. He also earned his Master of Arts in Business Management (Human Resources) from Webster University in St. Louis and his Master of Arts & Sciences in Strategic Planning from the Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.

Spires Swimming will practice at Lansing USD #469 Natatorium, and in its first season will compete in various National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic and National Collegiate Athletic Association DII meets.

The University of Saint Mary now has 20 sports programs—men’s and women’s swimming, wrestling, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, cross country, and track & field, as well as volleyball, football, baseball, softball, and co-ed cheerleading and dance. Go to GoSpires.com for more information on USM athletics. Go to GoSpires.com for more information on USM athletics.

— The above information is a press release from The University of Saint Mary.

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Amanda Lynn
5 years ago

Great selection of a great coach!!

Joanne Newton
5 years ago

This is great news!!!!!

Kim Rueb
5 years ago

Wonderful news especially after seeing so many colleges cut their swimming programs over the last year or so.

Betsy Luminais
5 years ago

Great!

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