Men's Swimming and Diving | 9/20/2021 9:51:00 AM
Christopher Heckman, who started the men's and women's swimming and diving programs at Medaille College, has been named men's and women's swimming and diving coach at Nazareth College.
A graduate of SUNY Brockport, Heckman swam there for four seasons and was chosen in 2019 to start a program at Medaille College in Buffalo. The Mavericks were limited to just one meet in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Medaille, Heckman also served Strength and Conditioning Coach for the 19-team athletic department.
Before joining the staff at Medaille, Heckman spent one season as Assistant Swim Coach at Stevens Institute of Technology, a former member of the Empire 8 Conference. In the 2018-19 season, Heckman helped the Ducks to the E8 title in men's swimming and diving and a runner-up finish in women's swimming and diving.
Heckman's experience also includes two seasons as an assistant coach at Brockport and seven years as a swim instructor and lifeguard in his hometown of Ballston Spa, N.Y.
As a swimmer at Brockport, Heckman competed in the sprint freestyle and butterfly events and earned an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and a Master's degree in Athletic Administration.
"We're excited to have Chris as a member of our staff," said Nazareth Athletic Director Pete Bothner. "He brings a good knowledge and commitment to what it takes to succeed in a college environment. We believe he can hit the ground running so to speak and keep lifting our programs to a higher level."
Heckman takes over for Scott Whitbeck, who stepped down last month after five successful seasons. Nazareth's first meet is Oct. 16 at Geneseo.