Virginia Promotes Bill Smyth To Head Assistant Swimming Coach

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Sept. 10, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia Swimming Head Coach MarkBernardino today announced that Bill Smyth has been promoted to headassistant coach for the Cavalier men’s and women’s swimming programs.Smyth replaces Eric McIlquham, who was recently named the head swimmingcoach at West Virginia University.

“Bill is one of our all-time great swimmers at Virginia,” said Bernardino.”I am very happy to elevate Bill to head assistant coach. There isn’t abetter person to have coach in our program. Bill has done an outstandingjob coaching the distance and individual medley swimmers the last two yearsand I know he will continue to do a great job in his new position.”

Smyth, who has been a part-time coach for the Cavaliers, is beginning histhird season with the Virginia swimming program. In his new position, hewill continue to coach the distance and individual medley swimmers, but nowwill be heavily involved in recruiting.

A 1994 Virginia graduate with a degree in psychology, Smyth had adistinguished swimming career for the Cavaliers. He is a five-timeAll-American and won six Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) individual titles,including four in the 400 individual medley. He still holds the school andconference records in the 400 individual medley at 3:47.98. Smyth was alsoa finalist at the 1992 Olympic trials in the 400 individual medley, placingfifth.

The Norristown, Pa., native has served as an assistant coach for some ofthe top club teams in the nation since graduating from Virginia. Smythspent time with the Jersey Wahoos and the Phoenix Swim Club, both of whichsent swimmers to the 1996 Summer Olympics.