CHICAGO—Robert Rariden has been named the Illinois Institute of Technology head men's and women's swimming & diving coach. Rariden arrives to Illinois Tech from Albion College (Mich.), where he spent two seasons as an assistant coach for both swimming & diving programs.
"I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to be the next head coach of Illinois Institute of Technology swimming & diving," said Rariden. "I look forward to working with all the wonderful student-athletes, and continuing the tradition of success that Illinois Tech swim & dive represents."
Dryland training, team travel, recruiting coordination, First Aid/CPR and lifeguard instruction were Rariden's responsibilities at Albion. The Britons men's team accumulated two MIAA Championships; while both teams combined for 26 All-MIAA First Team selections and one MIAA Diver of the Year throughout his two seasons. The 2018-19 season resulted in 14 national qualifiers as the men locked 17th place, while the women registered 23rd place at the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championship. Albion secured 2018-19 College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America on the men's and women's side.
The 2019-20 season saw the Albion women's team score the most points in school history at the MIAA Championship, which helped them secure two NCAA B-Cut marks.
Rariden jumped into the collegiate coaching ranks after he served a two-season stint as head girl's swimming & diving coach at Powers Catholic High School (Mich.). He helped 10 individuals and six relays qualify for the MHSAA Swimming & Diving Championship over his two seasons at Powers Catholic High School, which resulted in one All-State finish.
Rariden also held coaching stints with the Genesys Athletic Club and Albion Parks & Recreation. He also served as an instructor at the University of Michigan and Olivet College Swimming & Diving Camps.
Rariden obtained his bachelor of science degree in history/philosophy/sociology from Michigan State University in May 2017. He holds certifications with Red Cross as a Lifeguard and First Aid/CPR instructor. Rariden is also Mental Health First Aid USA, and USA Swimming Coach certified.