ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Scott Whitbeck, head coach at SUNY New Paltz for the past eight seasons, has been named head coach of the Nazareth College men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams. He becomes the sixth head coach in the Golden Flyers’ history and replaces Martie Staser, who coached the men’s and women’s teams for 12 seasons.
A native of Northville, Mich., Whitbeck directed the Hawks to unparalleled success during his time there. The 2015-16 season was possibly the best in the school’s history as both the men’s and women’s teams placed second at the SUNYAC Championships. For the men’s team, it was the highest finish since a second-place result in 1994. The women’s team also placed second in 2011, when Whitbeck was recognized as SUNYAC Coach of the Year.
“We are pleased to have Scott as our new swimming and diving coach,” said Nazareth Athletic Director Pete Bothner. “He’s had great success at New Paltz and we think he’ll be able to transition that success to Nazareth.”
At New Paltz, Whitbeck’s swimmers won 46 conference titles in relays and individual events. His teams set school records in 17 of 19 women’s events and 11 of 19 men’s events. Six of his swimmers have been recognized with either the James Fulton (men’s) or Grace Mowatt (women’s) award, a conference honor that recognizes academic and athletic achievement.
Whitbeck also guided five swimmers to the NCAA meet in 2013 and each earned honorable mention All-American honors.
Before landing at New Paltz, Whitbeck had assistant coaching stints at University of Massachusetts and at the College of Wooster. In two seasons at UMass, Whitbeck helped the men’s team to two Atlantic 10 Conference titles and 12 school records. Among the highlights in his two seasons at Wooster was coaching Elizabeth Roesch to an NCAA title in the 1,650-yard freestyle.
Whitbeck also has experience as aquatics director at New Paltz and has been the director of the New Paltz Elite Swim Camp since 2009.
Whitbeck excelled as a swimmer at Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where he was a 12-time All-American and a two-time Academic All-American. He still holds school records there for the 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyles. He served as team captain in 2004 and was named the team’s Most Valuable Swimmer. He went on to earn an NCAA post-graduate scholarship and the Charles Monroe departmental award for excellence in Economics.
Whitbeck earned an undergraduate degree in Economics and Business from Kalamazoo as well as Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Sport Management from UMass.
Whitbeck and his wife, Joanna, have been married for two years and became first-time parents in March with the birth of their son, Alexander.
Swimming news courtesy of Nazareth Swimming & Diving.
