SVSU officially hired a new assistant swim coach, Austin Pillardo.
Pillardo, a South Florida native, previously spent three years as the volunteer assistant coach for the women’s swim team at Texas A&M.
Pillardo said he was ecstatic to see the assistant swim coach position posted.
“SVSU has amazing facilities and the coaching staff, student-athletes and athletic department are very driven for success,” he said. “When I saw the position posted, I had to hop on the opportunity.”
Pillardo said he hopes his success as a swimmer translates to SVSU.
“I held nine school records at one point, currently still holding two at Davis and Elkins college,” Pillardo said. “I am the first and only swimmer in school history to achieve All-Conference Honors along with being named Athlete of the Year in 2016 for Davis and Elkins.”
He said his coaching experience will carry over to help athletes and staff at SVSU.
“I have experience coaching some of the world’s most elite athletes while at Texas A&M, having coached five Olympians and numerous World Championship caliber swimmers,” Pillardo said. “I have also worked numerous college swim camps around the nation including Harvard, Texas A&M, Stanford and Penn State.”
Like many sports at SVSU, swimming has seen its season delayed by COVID-19 until at least the start of 2021. If the season is able to start after the new year, SVSU will face Wayne State on Jan. 10.
Despite the uncertainty, Pillardo said he is excited to get started.
“I look forward to working with this amazing program at SVSU, and I know that [Head Coach] Jason [Lintjer] and I will take it further than it’s ever been,” he said.
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