Get to Know: Brian Striker
The talented administrators, coaches and staff working at our member institutions help to make the Empire 8 Conference successful. And the Get to Know Feature is a way for fans to get a better idea of who these individuals are.
Brian Striker is the head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach at Alfred University.
Where did you attend college? What was your major? Where you a student-athlete? I attended Alfred University and was a business administration major. I also focused on management information systems with a minor in computer science. I was a swimmer at Alfred all four years with a focus on freestyle events.
What made you chose to attend Alfred University as an undergrad and/or graduate student? I graduated from a small high school in upstate New York. When I visited Alfred, it felt like home and somewhere I would fit in and a chance to succeed.
Both of your brothers attended Alfred and were members of the swimming and diving team.
It made it easier to have my brother swim alongside me. I think it says something about the school when you see your older sibling so happy at the institution and you want to have that same experience. And then to have your younger brother want to follow you is pretty awesome. I don’t think I would have been successful without my brothers. There was something about Alfred that pulled my brothers and I together was neat and now seeing their names on the walls as I walk up and down the pool deck is a prideful feeling.
How long have you been working at your Alfred? I am in the middle of my 16
th season as the head coach. I did help out two years prior to that as well as my work scheduled allowed.
What interested you in a job at Alfred? After I graduated Alfred I had a few other jobs over the span of two years. At the same time, I was coaching some club teams in Rochester and realized coaching was the career I wanted to focus on. When the head coaching job opened up at Alfred I was excited for the opportunity but the move to come back to Alfred was an easy choice. Alfred is my home and a place I could operate comfortably.
When you hear “Alfred” what is the first word that comes to mind? Pride. I am very proud of a lot of things I have been able to accomplish at Alfred.
Who has been the most influential person during your career? Why? For my life, my parents have been the role models that have helped shape my life. But looking back, I have had so many great swim coaches throughout my life and some of them are still working that have really shaped who I am as a coach.
I take bits and pieces from my parents and coaches and mix the positives to help shape who I want to be.
What do you do in your spare time? I like to read and wish I had more time for wood working. But I have a short attention span so I dabble in a lot of different areas. But when I am not at work I remodel our house and spend as much time with my kids as I can.
Top 3 things on your bucket list? I don’t focus too far into the future but my top priorities are to get my kids into adulthood as good people and balance my work and family life. But if I can be successful in those two areas then I am happy.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I am a quiet and laid-back person but right now I am trying to learn guitar right now. I consider myself pretty talented when it comes to building things. And I have multiple sclerosis.
Rapid Fire questions
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite band/musician: Classic Rock and when my kids singing any pop song.
Favorite TV show(s): Anything on Netflix
Favorite Movie: 80’s movies or Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Book: Lee Child, Jake Reacher books
Favorite place to visit: Cape Cod, Florida, Myrtle Beach
Can’t live without: A book or television viewing device
Pet Peeve(s): Lame excuses and people who are disrespectful