NCAA Champion Maddy Banic Returns to Tennessee as Volunteer Assistant
NCAA Champion Maddy Banic Returns to Tennessee as Volunteer Assistant
NCAA champion Maddy Banic has returned to the University of Tennessee as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2022-23 season, the school announced Thursday.
The native of Virginia was a standout in Knoxville from 2015-19. She finished her college career as part of an NCAA champion 200 medley relay, one of 12 All-America honors she earned.
“I’m excited to come back and teach the team the type of grit and culture it takes to become an NCAA champion,” Banic said in a press release. “I’ve been training here for seven years. I’m excited to grow my relationships with the student-athletes, not just a peer but as a mentor. I’m honored for the opportunity, as it allows me to tap into a different facet of my swim knowledge and love of the sport.”
Banic won 16 medals at SEC Championships, including gold medals. She ranks second in program history in the 50 free (21.54, from an SEC championship performance in 2017), fourth in the 100 fly (51.19) and was part of 12 top-10 relay foursomes.
After graduation, Banic excelled in the International Swimming League with Energy Standard. Among her accomplishments was an American record in the women’s 50 fly.
Banic has been public about her mental health struggles, a perspective the program hopes to bring in to help the next generation of Volunteers.
“It’s such a thrill to be able to bring Maddy Banic, one of our all-time great student athletes, onto our coaching staff,” Tennessee director of swimming and diving Matt Kredich said. “One of our core team beliefs is that having a deep, meaningful, elite team experience in college can transform one’s life, and that what we learn through that experience will propel our graduates into tremendous success in everything they do after their collegiate career is over. Maddy is a shining example of that.
“Maddy is a fierce competitor, a relentless student of the sport and a joyful presence on the pool deck. Her willingness to share the details of her whole swimming journey has been an inspiration to so many who have struggled with mental health, self-doubt and their place in the sport and in the world. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our team, and we’re incredibly excited to have her join our staff.”