Lathrop coach to lead new women’s swim program

Submitted by Dave Geringer
Phone: (907) 474-6807
01/11/05

A former University of Alaska Fairbanks swimmer and coach who just completed his fifth season as the head coach at Lathrop High School will lead the UAF women’s swimming program when it begins competition next fall.

Scott Lemley will lead the new Nanook women’s swim program, which will begin competing in the fall of 2005.

Lemley has both competed and coached for Alaska Fairbanks. He was a student-athlete for the UAF swimming team from 1970 through 1973, and served as head coach for the Nanook men’s and women’s swimming teams from 1982 through 1987. He has a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from UAF.

Currently the head coach for the Midnight Sun Swim Team, Lemley has also coached the Alaska Pacific Swim Club and the Alaska Sports Academy swim teams in Anchorage. He coached high school swimming in Fairbanks for 18 years, serving as the head coach at West Valley High School for 13 years between 1979 and 1991.

"We are very excited about the implementation of a new sport program at UAF,"? said UAF Director of Athletics Dr. Cory Schwartz. "We are pleased to have Scott on board as our head coach, and we are excited that he will have the opportunity to start a new program from the ground up."?

Lemley began his new job Jan. 4, but he can’t wait to get started. "I’m excited, there’s never been a better time to build a program,"? said Lemley. "I appreciate the support and the confidence that Cory showed in me when she offered me this position. I know it will take a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm, and I’m ready for it."?

If Lemley has his way, the UAF women’s swimming team will be Alaska’s team. "As long as there are talented athletes here who are interested in representing their state, we have a tremendous advantage,"? said Lemley. "As the only collegiate women’s swimming team in the state, we should have the loyalty and interest from student-athletes in Alaska if they want to stay here and represent their state."?