Georgia Tech Swimming & Diving head coach Courtney Shealy Hart has announced the addition of former NCAA Champion Neil Versfeld as assistant coach. He will act as the Yellow Jackets’ distance coach along with duties as their academic liason.
During his NCAA swimming career, Versfeld competed for the University of Georgia, where he became an NCAA Champion and broke the NCAA record in the 200 breast in 2008. He was also a two-time SEC champion.
Internationally, he represented South Africa at the 2008 Olympics in the 200 breast, where he placed 9th in the semi-finals. He then went on to break the 2:10 barrier with a 2:09.61 in the semi-finals of the 2009 World Championships.
In 2010, Versfeld swam to a 4th place finish in that event at the short course World Championships in Dubai. He then added another top-16 appearance in the 200 breast at 2011 worlds in Shanghai.
“We are thrilled to have Neil join our staff,” said Hart. “His experience as an international Olympian and NCAA Champion will be extremely valuable in helping our team reach its goals. In addition, his international connections will continue to help us recruit some of the finest student- athletes from all over the world.”
Leading up to this position at Georgia Tech, Versfeld has gained coaching experience at Swim Atlanta. He served as the head age group coach, as well as coaching the master’s program. He also spent a year in Durban, South Africa coaching the Seals Swimming Club.
“I’m thrilled to begin my collegiate coaching career at Georgia Tech,” said Versfeld. “I’d like to thank Coach Hart and the staff for the opportunity and I look forward to getting started. Tech offers a tremendous combination of athletics and academics and it’s exciting to be part of what Courtney is building here.”
He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2010, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Housing. His academic achievements include 3 Academic All-American Honor Roll and SEC Honor Roll awards.
Anybody know what a “Bachelor of Science in Housing” is?
Mulldog- via Georgia’s website: “We give you expertise in aspects of housing including needs assessment; financing; federal, state, and local housing programs; housing policy; housing theory; household technology; property management; and real estate. We help you gain a comprehensive understanding of housing as a product, an environment, a service, and a process for sheltering a diverse and changing population adequately, accessibly, and affordably.”
Looks like tech is changing with the times, first Robins and now Neil definitely trying to make the move up the ACC ladder