Alma, MI – Alma College Head Swimming Coach Nick Polzin will be leaving the program, as announced by Vice President/Director of Athletics Sarah Dehring announced on Monday, April 24.
"I'd like to thank Nick for everything he has done for Alma College and the swimming program, and wish him well in his future endeavors," Dehring said.
Polzin, hired in 2020, was in his second stint with the Scots after serving as an assistant coach in 2017-18. In his time at Alma, Polzin coached numerous athletes to all-time top 10 performances, as well as a program relay record in 2022-23. He also assisted with Alma's strength and conditioning programs.
"I'd like to thank Alma College and Sarah Dehring, and the student-athletes for the opportunity to work with the team. I wish them nothing but the best and am excited for their success in the future. Go Scots."
Prior to Alma, he spent the last two years at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., as an assistant swim coach and graduate assistant. His responsibilities with the Pioneers included working specifically with the sprint groups to develop practice plans and race strategies, recruiting prospective student-athletes, creating and teaching an Olympic lifting class, and acting as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Polzin also attained a master of science degree in exercise and sports studies from Smith College.
Polzin swam collegiately at Kalamazoo College from 2013-17 and finished his career strong, earning the titles of team captain and team MVP while also making the All-MIAA team when he finished second in the 50-meter freestyle at the MIAA Championships.
Polzin has spent multiple summers working as a camp counselor at the Longhorn Swim Camp in Austin, Texas, as well as a camp coach at the Hartwick College Swim Camp in Oneonta, N.Y. Across both camps, he led 10-18-year-old swimmers in practice, technique and other camp activities, as well as holding lectures on nutrition, mental preparation and strength training.
Polzin competed at the USA Weightlifting (USAW) American Open Series in November 2019; he is also a USAW sports performance coach. He expects to attain his certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in 2020.
A former all-state swimmer from Northview High School, Polzin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology with a Spanish minor from Kalamazoo College in 2017.
A nationwide search for Alma's next Head Swimming Coach will begin immediately.
Story: Nick Nemeth, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
