Sapp Named Swim & Dive Assistant Coach
9/17/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Sept. 17, 2013
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - As the Seton Hall swimming & diving program readies for the 2013-14 season; the Pirates will have a new voice assisting in their preparation as head coach Ron Farina has announced that Derek Sapp has been added to the staff as the new Assistant Swimming & Diving Coach.
Sapp joins a staff that includes two SHU alums and former Pirate competitors in diving coach PJ Hughes and volunteer assistant coach Andrew Le Blanc that will assist Farina in his 14th year at the helm for Seton Hall.
A former collegiate swimmer himself, Sapp spent the last two seasons as a graduate assistant for the West Virginia University men's and women's swimming programs while working towards an M.S. in Athletic Coaching Education.
Last year, he helped the Mountaineers take the Big 12 Championship by storm in just the program's first year in the conference. WVU finished in the top-three on both the men's and women's sides and produced 13 school records, five Big 12 Champions, one Big 12 meet record. Senior Rachael Burnett was also named Most Outstanding Female Swimmer.
At the 2013 NCAA Championship meet, senior Mandie Nugent earned WVU's first-ever All-American honor with a seventh place finish in the 200-fly.
While in Morgantown, Sapp was charged primarily with providing hands-on coaching while also aiding the coordination of recruiting efforts.
A USA Swimming certified coach, he has served in a several other coaching capacities and brings extensive experience developing and implementing conditioning programs both in and out of the pool to his new position at Seton Hall.
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Sapp was a standout member of the Edinboro University (Pa.) swim team for four seasons. He was twice elected a captain for the Fighting Scots and finished his decorated career with a multitude of conference honors including four-consecutive scholar athlete awards.
The Seton Hall swimming & diving program will host its Blue & White Alumni Meet on Saturday, October 5 as part of Seton Hall weekend before kicking off the season for real on Wednesday, October 9 with a dual meet against Montclair State.
