The Illinois Institute of Technology has announced that Easton, Pennsylvania native, Eric Bugby, will be the new head men’s and women’s coach for the Scarlet Hawks. Despite only being 29 years old, Bugby comes to the Chicago school with a strong background, including coaching stints on the club, collegiate, and high school levels. Prior to IIT, Bugby served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at West Point for three years. During these three years, Bugby helped the Black Knights in establishing 17 team records and in claiming four individual titles at the Patriot League Championships. Additionally, Bugby helped the West Point women win the 200 yard freestyle relay at the 2013 Patriot League Championships, the first relay victory for the women at the conference champs in school history. On the men’s side, one of Bugby’s swimmers, Ayman Andrews, would also go on to claim a 20th place finish at the 2012 Olympic Trials in the 100 meter buttefly with a time of 53.96.
Before coaching at West Point, Bugby also served as a graduate assistant coach for Arizona State University between 2007-09. Specializing in the coaching of the mid-distance stroke and sprint groups, Bugby worked with the likes of Pan-American Gold Medalist, Nick Brunelli, and NCAA All-American, Caitlin Andrew. Eric also served as head coach for both the Lehigh Valley Aquatics Club and for Freedom High School, both of which are based in Bethlehem, PA. As a swimmer, Bugby also represented both Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. He qualified for the 2004 Olympic Trials in the 100 backstroke.
The Scarlet Hawks secured Bugby just in time for their pilot season as a Division III program. Over the course of the last year, IIT served its “exploratory” transition year into NCAA Division III competition from the NAIA, and the team will look to Bugby to lead them for their first official year. At the 2013 Liberal Arts Championships, the IIT men claimed first place over Luther College with a total of 702 points. The IIT women claimed 7th place overall with a total of 141 points.
The Scarlet Hawks kick off their 2013 season with the Talon Pentathlon which is also their Alumni Meet on October 12th.
As a former swimmer for Bugby, I’d like to say that IIT made a great choice! He is intense and makes you work hard but man will you swim fast and learn a lot. Get ready to work IIT!
SS
Congrats Eric! You’ll do great!