LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (NEWS RELEASE) - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has named Charlie King as the head coach of its women's and men's swimming & diving program.
King replaces Rich Pein, who, following his 30th year leading the Eagles,retired at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season. Along with serving as head swimming & diving coach at UW-L, King will be an instructor in the university's Exercise & Sport Science Department.
"I would like to thank director of athletics, Josh Whitman, for this opportunity," said King. "I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a college program with such a great academic and athletic history."
King has been the assistant swimming & diving coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Utah since2008. He has also been Utah's Director of Camps and co-taught Coaching Swimming.
With King as their assistant coach, nine Utah student-athletes set school records and four achieved a USA Olympic Trials Standard.
Prior to arriving at the University of Utah, King served as a head coach of two Division III swimming programs:
Millikin University (Decatur, Ill.) in 2007-08 and Augsburg College (Minneapolis, Minn.) in 2003-05. He also was a graduate assistant swimming coach at St. Cloud State University (St. Cloud, Minn.) for two seasons, from 2005-07.
"We are excited to announce that Charlie King will carry on the proud tradition of UW-L swimming and diving as the next head coach of our program," said Whitman. "Charlie brings a wealth of experience, having coached at the Division I, II, and III levels, including several years as a head coach in Division III. Charlie's experience at the University of Utah, a member of the Pac-12, the fastest swimming conference in the country, will prove invaluable as we look to solidify our swimming and diving program as one of the nation's best."
Before joining the college ranks, King was co-head coach of the Monticello (Minn.) Swim Club from 1999-2004. He was the assistant swimming coach at Monticello (Minn.) High School in 2000-03 and the head swimming coach atApollo High School (St. Cloud, Minn.) in 1998-2000.
King earned his bachelor's degree in social studies with a history emphasis and coaching minor from St. Cloud State in 2000. He later completed his master's degree at St. Cloud State in sports management.
"I am excited and feel lucky to have a great diving coach (Barry Schockmel) and assistant coach (Alex Kultgen) already in place," said King. "The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is an outstanding place to live, study and compete. I look forward to getting to know the team, alumni and fans in the years to come."
"Charlie is a tireless recruiter who will work to bring top talent to our campus, and his technical skill as a coach, according to his former student-athletes and colleagues, is second-to-none," added Whitman. "Rich Pein is one of the most beloved coaches in UW-L history and leaves huge shoes to fill, but after spending time with Charlie and talking with people who know him well, we are convinced that he is the right person to lead our program into the future."
Courtesy of Dave Johnson, UW-La Crosse Sports Information
