 |  |
uOttawa Gee-Gees welcome champion UBC coach Schoof
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-Gee's
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 - 1994-95).
* Born in Winnipeg, raised in Kamloops, B.C.
* Father of two
Source:
Dan Carle
Coordonnateur des informations sportives /
Sport Information Coordinator
Service des sports de l'Université d'Ottawa / University of
Ottawa Sports Services
