OTTAWA SWIMMING WELCOMES CHAMPION UBC COACH
July 7, 2009
OTTAWA - Champion swim coach and soon-to-be Ottawa resident Derrick Schoof has rarely finished second.
The 35-year-old Vancouver native who has been a part of 22 Canadian Interuniversity Sport swim titles with the UBC Thunderbirds program and earned three national coach of the year awards was named Friday head coach and program director of the GO (Greater Ottawa) Kingfish Swim Club and head coach of Gee-Gees men's and women's swimming.
"This is big-time stuff," Schoof confirmed Thursday from Vancouver, following morning practice with the UBC Dolphins Swim Club, which he coached to the 2009 Canadian men's and women's senior national titles.
"Sometimes the draw to want to build a program is greater than just to keep a program at the top."
The B.C. native born in Winnipeg will start September 1.
A three-season swimmer at UBC from 1992-93 and 1994-95, Schoof coached throughout the Dolphins program was named head coach of both the club team and UBC men's and women's varsity teams in 2006.
Last season the surprise Thunderbirds men's team won its 11th CIS title in 12 seasons and the women's team finished second in Canada, ending a run of 11 straight national championships.
"We're at the top of our game and everything is great here," said Schoof. "But the people at GO and uOttawa have really shown me they are interested in excellence."
"That challenge is one I cannot resist in my coaching career."
Schoof also coached the 2005 and 2007 Canadian swim teams at the world university games, and was head coach for the 2008 Canadian world short course team.
"A great complement to the existing uOttawa coaching expertise," said uOttawa athletic director Luc Gelineau.
"The underlying intent of our partnership is a structure that nurtures both athletic and academic development within the region, thereby strengthening both organizations."
"His technical expertise and leadership will no doubt motivate and inspire athletes to create an environment of excellence," said Alex Baumann, a Canadian Olympic gold medallist swimmer who is now an advisor to the GO Kingfish program.
"Derrick is one of Canada's top coaches and will be a great asset to the GO Kingfish Swim Club, the University of Ottawa, the region and Province of Ontario."
Schoof made no Midas touch promises as he replaces Iain McDonald, whose contract as head coach of GO Kingfish was not renewed.
"It's going to be a year-long process to figure out what needs to be done," Schoof said.
"I know that the student-athletes will need to lead disciplined lives. If they buy in to that they will be great."
DERRICK SCHOOF
Head coach, GO Kingfish Swim Club and Gee-Gees men's and women's swimming
* Named head coach of GO Kingfish Swim Club and uOttawa men's and women's swimming July 3, 2009.
* Head coach of the UBC Thunderbirds men's and women's varsity teams since 2006.
* Helped UBC men's and women's varsity teams to 11 national titles over the last 12 seasons.
* Three-time Canadian Interuniversity Sport coach of the year (Men: 2006, 2009; Women 2008).
* Head coach for Canadian men's and women's swim teams at 2005 and 2007 world university games.
* Head coach for Canadian team at 2008 world short course championships.
* Three-year swimmer at UBC (1992-93 to 1994-95).
* Born in Winnipeg, raised in Kamloops, B.C.
* Father of two
Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees
The 35-year-old Vancouver native who has been a part of 22 Canadian Interuniversity Sport swim titles with the UBC Thunderbirds program and earned three national coach of the year awards was named Friday head coach and program director of the GO (Greater Ottawa) Kingfish Swim Club and head coach of Gee-Gees men's and women's swimming.
"This is big-time stuff," Schoof confirmed Thursday from Vancouver, following morning practice with the UBC Dolphins Swim Club, which he coached to the 2009 Canadian men's and women's senior national titles.
"Sometimes the draw to want to build a program is greater than just to keep a program at the top."
The B.C. native born in Winnipeg will start September 1.
A three-season swimmer at UBC from 1992-93 and 1994-95, Schoof coached throughout the Dolphins program was named head coach of both the club team and UBC men's and women's varsity teams in 2006.
Last season the surprise Thunderbirds men's team won its 11th CIS title in 12 seasons and the women's team finished second in Canada, ending a run of 11 straight national championships.
"We're at the top of our game and everything is great here," said Schoof. "But the people at GO and uOttawa have really shown me they are interested in excellence."
"That challenge is one I cannot resist in my coaching career."
Schoof also coached the 2005 and 2007 Canadian swim teams at the world university games, and was head coach for the 2008 Canadian world short course team.
"A great complement to the existing uOttawa coaching expertise," said uOttawa athletic director Luc Gelineau.
"The underlying intent of our partnership is a structure that nurtures both athletic and academic development within the region, thereby strengthening both organizations."
"His technical expertise and leadership will no doubt motivate and inspire athletes to create an environment of excellence," said Alex Baumann, a Canadian Olympic gold medallist swimmer who is now an advisor to the GO Kingfish program.
"Derrick is one of Canada's top coaches and will be a great asset to the GO Kingfish Swim Club, the University of Ottawa, the region and Province of Ontario."
Schoof made no Midas touch promises as he replaces Iain McDonald, whose contract as head coach of GO Kingfish was not renewed.
"It's going to be a year-long process to figure out what needs to be done," Schoof said.
"I know that the student-athletes will need to lead disciplined lives. If they buy in to that they will be great."
DERRICK SCHOOF
Head coach, GO Kingfish Swim Club and Gee-Gees men's and women's swimming
* Named head coach of GO Kingfish Swim Club and uOttawa men's and women's swimming July 3, 2009.
* Head coach of the UBC Thunderbirds men's and women's varsity teams since 2006.
* Helped UBC men's and women's varsity teams to 11 national titles over the last 12 seasons.
* Three-time Canadian Interuniversity Sport coach of the year (Men: 2006, 2009; Women 2008).
* Head coach for Canadian men's and women's swim teams at 2005 and 2007 world university games.
* Head coach for Canadian team at 2008 world short course championships.
* Three-year swimmer at UBC (1992-93 to 1994-95).
* Born in Winnipeg, raised in Kamloops, B.C.
* Father of two
Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees