Courtesy: Virginia Tech Athletics
BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech director of swimming and diving Sergio Lopez Miro announced Thursday the hiring of Jewels Harris, who will become the Hokies’ first director of operations for the program.
“I am so excited that Jewels Harris has accepted the position to be our director of operations,” Lopez Miro said. “From the day I met her at the 2016 Olympic Trials, I was amazed by her personality and how committed she was to excellence. Most importantly, she thrives leading and helping others be the best they can be.
“I also want to thank Whit Babcock and Danny White for creating this position and for providing us with another building block to reach excellence in the pool and in the classroom at the same time as we keep moving forward in both ACC and national rankings. Welcome, Jewels, to Hokie Nation and the Virginia Tech Swimming and Diving program!”
Harris graduated from Auburn University this past spring earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Journalism and was a part of the swim team from 2017 until she graduated in 2021.
During her time at Auburn, Harris successfully swam at SEC’s all four years and competed at NCAA’s in 2019 and 2021, and qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials. Harris was a member of a top-five conference team and a top-15 national team while with the Tigers.
She has many accomplishments under her belt as a student-athlete, earning a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll from 2018 to 2021 and the College Swimming Coaches Association of America Scholar Team in 2018, 2020 and 2021.
“I am not only excited, but so honored to be a part of this staff and the Virginia Tech athletics department,” Harris expressed. “Sergio and his staff have done incredible work at Virginia Tech. I can’t wait to be a part of their success and watch them continue to build a championship culture. This job is a dream come true, and I can’t thank Sergio enough for this opportunity. Big things are coming to this program, and I’m ready to get there and experience it all with them. Go Hokies!”
Harris recently interned with Auburn athletics, working primarily with the marketing and communications departments.
The Tuscaloosa, Alabama native has already been acquainted with current Tech staff as she swam under the direction of Lopez Miro her freshman year at Auburn.
Welcome to the Hokie Family Jewels!
Amazing hire!! She is the best
What does a director of operations of a college swimming team do?
Orders equipment and any of the gear they use, plans transportation to and from meets, meals, recruitment dinners, basically handles everything at the administrative “behind the scenes” level.