Courtesy: Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester
Zachary Hojnacki, the Head Age Group Coach for the prestigious Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics, is taking over as the head coach of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester “Marlins” Swim Team. Hojnacki was selected in a nationwide search led by Olympic medalist and former BGNW volunteer coach Bobby Hackett.
“We are excited to have Zac lead the Marlins Swim Program,” Hackett said. “Given his pedigree as a swimmer and coach we are fortunate to have him relocate from Tucson, AZ where he had tremendous success.”
Hojnacki will be joining longtime coach of almost 50 years and aquatics director Dennis Munson .
BGNW Marlins has been a premiere swim club in Northern Westchester New York for over 45 years and prides itself on developing talented athletes while staying true to the Boys and Girls Club mission, which includes inspiring and enabling all young people to realize their full potential as productive , responsible and caring citizens ; the key differentiator is civic advocacy , academic success and leadership. Each year the Marlins sends a class of swimmers off to some of the most prestigious academic and NCAA programs, which in recent years have included Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Notre Dame and UNC to name only a few schools. .
Hojnacki was an accomplished swimmer at the University of Arizona, training under the legendary Frank Busch, former University of Arizona Head Swim Coach and retired USA National Team Director. An accomplished breaststroker, Hojnacki competed in the 2012 Olympic Trials and 2013 World Championship Trials, as well as three Pac 12 Championships. Swimming runs in his bloodline — both of his parents were collegiate swimmers and his mother was a 1984 Canadian Olympic bronze medalist. Hojnacki graduated with honors from the University of Arizona and went on to earn a Masters and PhD in Educational Psychology. See his March SwimSwam article entitled 3 Not-So-Quick Tips to Improve Your Mental Game.
Hojnacki is recognized as a rising star in the coaching community.
“Zac is a very enthusiastic student of the sport and his desire to help others succeed is obvious,” Busch said. “His technical knowledge, communication skills and his competitive drive will benefit all.”
Hojnacki has been coaching with Tucson Ford since 2012 and has spent time helping coach the University of Arizona team. He has been the primary coach to multiple Top 50 ranked athletes and individual state champions, and has helped train swimmers of all levels including Olympic medalists and athletes qualifying for Olympic Trials, Nationals, Jr Nationals and NCAA championships.
This change in leadership was overseen by Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester CEO Alyzza Ozer who from day one of her tenure , Spring of 2015, has been a strong advocate of the team and aquatics program . She recently initiated a major capital investment to improve pool facilities, including a state of the art HVAC air and water filtration and lighting system, and she remains remarkably committed to the team’s continued success and standing in the competitive swim community.
According to Ozer “ it is our privilege and responsibility to nurture and develop champion swimmers both in and out of the pool .”
The addition of Hojnacki’s skill and enthusiasm is sure to make a splash at the Marlins, as well as the broader Metro Swimming Community, when he officially takes the deck on August 13, 2018. Inquiries regarding Hojnacki and the Boys & Girls Club Marlins Swim Team and robust swim class program can be made at www.bgcnw.com; 914-666-8069.
Huge move for this team, people better watch out!