Name: Kevin Norman
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2005
Events: 500 – 1000 – 1650 – 400 IM
Degree: Exercise Science and Community Health
Profession: Head Coach, Brown Men’s Swimming & Diving
Current residence: Lincoln, Rhode Island
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
My first college dual meet! I was so nervous, we went on the road to swim Duke, a team that had beaten us by 2 the previous season, and we rolled them. Awesome feeling and great way to start my collegiate career! I also think back to my last finals session at CAA Champs in 2005. I swam my last mile, got out of the water and got the biggest bear hug from Coach Allen after a great swim, and then just enjoyed every second of watching us swim away from George Mason on our way to our 4th straight title. The celebration after a championship is always incredible, but that being my last one was very special. I may have been the last person out of the water.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being a college coach, I can confidently say my experience at UNCW influences what I do every day. I would not have chosen coaching as a career had I not had such an amazing experience swimming at UNCW. I also credit a lot of my team’s success to what I learned swimming for Coach Allen in terms of how to motivate, communicate and find that perfect balance of intensity and fun that creates fast swimming.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Since graduating I went on to get my M.S. in Exercise Science – Human Performance from Southern Connecticut State University while I worked as a volunteer coach at Yale. I then went on to coach at the University of the South for a season and returned to Yale as an assistant for 9 years. I’m now in my third year as head coach at Brown.
I got married in 2011 to my wife, Kim, and we have three active, happy and crazy little boys named Ryder (8), Cooper (6) and Knox (3). No swimmers, they’re all very into baseball, soccer and flag football (Ryder is trying to convince mom to let him play tackle next season).
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
On campus – The pool as crazy as it might sound! What I learned in that space shaped me in so many ways! I also always loved Chancellor’s Walk right through the center of camps.
Off campus – Wrightsville Beach, PT’s and, of course, the Peach Palace on Hillsdale!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
HAWKPRIDE and SEA-SEA-SEA – SEAHAWKS!!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Current swimmers, I know it sounds cliche, but enjoy every second and take in the day-to-day moments. Looking back, my fondest memories were a lot of the things I just took for granted like breakfast at Wagner after morning practice, the fun banter during weights and lazy Saturday afternoons on WB after a brutal Saturday morning workout.
Recent alumni, keep in touch with the teammates, friends, coaches and professors that made UNCW such a wonderful experience for you! As fast as college goes by, life after college goes even faster and it gets hard to stay connected to those people. Keep those relationships strong!!!