Men's Swimming and Diving | 2/9/2024 9:51:04 AM
Since arriving on the Alfred University campus in 1997, success and
Brian Striker have been synonymous. Striker was an All-American student-athlete in the pool and since taking over as head coach of the Alfred University men's and women's swimming and diving teams in 2002, has led the Saxons to incredible team and individual successes. In 2024, Striker was named to the
Empire 8 Men's Swimming and Diving 25th Anniversary team.
A 2000 Alfred University graduate, Striker was one of the top swimmers in the program's history, earning All-American certification five times: in the 200 freestyle in 1999 and in the 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay and 800 freestyle relay in 2000.
A 2010 inductee into the AU Sports Hall of Fame, Striker was a member of the teams that held school records in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays and finished his career with 55 dual meet victories.
Striker enjoyed immediate coaching success at Alfred, leading the men's team to its first-ever state and Empire 8 conference titles in 2003. He was named Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Conference (UNYSCSC) Coach of the Year. The women's team finished second and third, respectively, in the Empire 8 and state championships.
Striker guided the AU men's team to a second Empire 8 title in 2005, when the men's team was runner-up at the UNYSCSA championships. He was named Empire 8 and UNYSCSA Coach of the Year that season. The 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons culminated with the Saxons claiming their second, third and fourth UNYSCSA titles and third, fourth and fifth Empire 8 championships. The 2022-23 season resulted in the Saxons clinching yet another Empire 8 conference title, while Striker earned his seventh E8 Coach of the Year honor.
Alfred's men's team went a combined 19-0 in dual meets in 2006-07 and 2007-08 and tied the school’s all-time record with 28 consecutive dual-meet wins between February 2005 and February 2009. Overall, he has Coached 163 Empire 8 Championship and 53 UNYSCSA Championship performances. In his 20 seasons at Alfred, the Saxons have broken 72 (unique) individual school records and 31 relay school records. In addition, he has coached 10 individuals to 27 All-America certifications.
Empire 8 Senior Associate Director
Joe Venniro says: "Brian is one of a select few associated with the Empire 8 to have legendary careers as both a student-athlete and head coach. He is a champion of the student-athlete experience and has served as a model advocate for our student-athletes. What he has accomplished in both aspects of his career is truly legendary."
Coach/Administrator Name: Brian Striker
Institution: Alfred University
Title: Head Men's Swimming and Diving Coach
College Attended/Class Year: Alfred University, Class of 2000
Years associated with the Empire 8 Conference: 25 years
Favorite Professional Athlete/Team: Mariano Rivera/New York Yankees
Favorite Movie: Caddyshack
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Fargo
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Black Cherry
What Do You Enjoy Doing When Away From College Athletics? Painting, building items and home improvement projects.
Favorite or Dream Vacation Spot: Wherever I am vacationing with my family.
Favorite Athletic Memory as a Coach/Administrator: Three years of being undefeated in the Empire 8 (2007-2009). This timeframe was also special as I was able to coach my brother, Brandon.
Who Was Your Greatest Mentor(s) and Why:
I don’t really have just one greatest mentor. I have learned so much from so many great people. I always try to enhance my skillset through observation and experiences with the individuals that work with. To name a few, my high school coach Jack Magiera always got our teams to do great/unexpected things – he was a great motivator for us. Seemingly unrelated, but nonetheless influential, Felix Natoli, a high school shop/technology teacher, taught me many lessons that I use every day – like finding solutions by looking at things in different ways. Most of all, a great deal has been instilled in me from my family, both immediate (mother, father, brothers, wife and kids) and extended; including hard work, dedication, commitment and patience. So many people contribute to our character, and there is no exception to this in my case, it is easy when you surround yourself with good people.
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being a Coach/Administrator:
Seeing student-athletes happy and helping them find direction when needed. The moments when they have great results and good experiences. I really enjoy seeing a group of former student-athletes get together after long stretches of time away from each other and act like they hadn’t been apart and knowing that in some small way, I contributed to a web of life-long connections and friendships spanning my time with the program.
What is your favorite aspect of Division III Athletics?
I am a believer in the fact that our experiences and lessons learned in athletics help shape who we are for the better. I strive to make sure that, in my case, swimming and diving is a positive, influential part of the collegiate experience. We are able to balance athletics, academics, social life, family, etc. Division III athletics allows our student-athletes to grow into well-rounded people. I’d like to believe that the experiences are overwhelmingly positive and allow them to go on to do great things in their lives.
How Does The Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences?
From a swimming and diving experience, I believe that we have had healthy relationships with our peers. We compete against each other with passion, but have a great deal of respect for each other. From a general athletic standpoint, I have always been proud to be a part of a conference that puts an emphasis on sportsmanship, academic experience, ethical behavior and competitiveness. Those are some qualities that I believe in wholeheartedly and am glad that I have been lucky enough to be a part of a conference that makes them a priority for its membership.
The Empire 8 taught me: A great deal about mutual respect amongst peers both as an athlete and a coach.
If you could use just one word to describe the Empire 8 Conference, what would it be?
Sportsmanship
If you had to describe the Empire 8 to someone who knew nothing about it, what would you tell them?
It is a Division III NCAA conference, made up of competitive peer institutions who focus on academic experiences, generally located in the Western/Central NY region. The conference itself, urges sportsmanlike and ethical program behavior with competition at the highest levels.
Finally, 25 years from now, what do you hope people are saying about the Empire 8 Conference?
I hope that the conference continues to focus on the overall student-athlete experience, a positive environment, and made up of strong athletic and academic programs.
Advice for Aspiring Student-Athletes (Youth/High School and Incoming Collegians):
There are so many life lessons and relationships made in collegiate athletics. If you have a chance to participate, do so!
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes:
Learn from all of your collegiate athletic experiences, good and bad; use them to grow and develop in a positive way. Don’t stop taking lessons from your experience even though you are done competing. When you are able, give back to the sport in ways that are appropriate.
The Empire 8 is celebrating its 25th anniversary season in 2023-24 and will be celebrating various coaches, administrators and former student-athletes throughout the year as part of the Empire 8 25th Anniversary Legends series. In addition, the league will honor various championship teams and former Players of the Year on social media platforms throughout the 2023-24 season. The conference will also be using the #E825 and #E8Anniversary hashtags on its Twitter and Instagram platforms as a way for fans to follow along throughout the year.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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