Sept. 20, 2002
Bowling Green, Ky. - Bruce Marchionda has been named associate head coach for men's and women's swimming at Western Kentucky University.
"We are happy to have him," said veteran Hilltopper Head Coach Bill Powell. "He comes with a great background, a great work ethic, and a great understanding of swimming and the physiology of the sport."
Coach Marchionda (pronunciation: mar-SHON-da) comes to Western with a vast amount of experience. He has spent the past 21 years successfully coaching at the collegiate and prep levels.
For the past eight years he has served as the head coach at Clemson, compiling an overall record of 212-56-1 while also winning Atlantic Coast Conference Coach-of-the-Year honors in 1997. At Clemson, he produced 26 Atlantic Coast Conference champions as well as several swimmers that attained national and international awards. And, he gained international coaching experience as a member of the Peruvian National Coaching Staff.
Marchionda has also served in coaching roles with the Clemson Aquatic Club, Old Dominion and Norfolk Academy. During his 13 years at Norfolk Academy, he won 15 Virginia state championships, produced 21 high school All-Americans as well as 79 high school state champs.
He graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., in 1979 with a bachelor of science degree in biology. While at Westminister, he was a six-time NAIA swimming All-American in the sprint events.
Coach Marchionda was an Olympic Trials qualifier in 1980 as well as a three-time Master Swimming All-American (1985).
"I am very excited to be a part of the swimming program at Western Kentucky University," Marchionda said. "I am walking into a great situation with an opportunity to work hand-in-hand with Coach Powell. I look forward to helping move the program to the next level."
A native of Aliquippa, Pa., Marchionda is a 1975 graduate of Quiqley High School in Baden, Pa.
