GRAND FORKS, N.D. - University of North Dakota head swimming and diving coach Steven Parsons announced today the hiring of Kevin Rapien as the new assistant coach.
"Kevin is going to make a great addition to our coaching staff," Parsons said. "His passion for the sport made him an obvious choice. He has a clear understanding of his role on the coaching staff and with the swimmers."
Rapien spent the 2009-10 season as a graduate assistant coach at Delta State in Cleveland, Miss. With the Statesmen, he worked primarily with the sprinters, who set school records in both the women's and men's 200 freestyle relays. The team also produced 18 NCAA Division II national qualifiers and 11 were named DII All-Americans.
Prior to his stint at Delta State, Rapien spent two years at various positions in Hamilton, Ohio. He was an assistant swim coach for the YMCA of Great Miami Valley swim team (2007-08) and the head swim coach at Ross High School (2007-08). He also spent time working as an assistant swim coach and substitute teacher at Stephen T. Badin High School (2007-08) and was an assistant coach and private swim instructor at New London Hills Swim Club (2004-06).
From July 2008 to August 2009, Rapien served as the aquatics director at the Atrium Family YMCA. While at the YMCA, he chaired and organized the Atrium YMCA Splash N' Dash, which raised over $1,100 for the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign.
A swimmer for four years (2003-07) at Ashland University, Rapien served as team captain from 2005 to 2007 and was awarded the Ashland University Eagle Award for Leadership his senior year.
Rapien received a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance from Ashland in 2007 and is currently working toward a master's degree in heath, physical education and recreation.
- Go Sioux -
