The Lindenwood University-Belleville Athletic Department and Athletic Director Ryan Kaiser are pleased to announce Alex Ilchenko as the Lynx Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach.
“Alex Ilchenko is a rising star in the swimming world,” said Kaiser. “He will identify with our student-athletes as he has the ability to connect on such a diverse level. He’s the makeup of our team.”
He added, “Smart, diverse, mentally tough, and unique are just a few words to describe our new leader. His international connections and his ability to speak five languages will only strengthen our diverse swim culture and increase our international connectivity. We’re excited for Alex to begin, we welcome him and his family to Lindenwood-Belleville.”
“I was very excited to hear that I will get the opportunity to be part of the Lindenwood family and develop both personally and professionally,” stated Ilchenko. “I think that the very first thought I had was the understanding of upcoming responsibility, pride, and honor.”
Since 2015, Ilchenko’s been a Graduate Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Programs at Henderson State University.
There, the team broke 21 school records, had four NSISC Conference Champions and he coached multiple Division II All-Americans. He also coached an All-American Diver, the 2016 NSISC Men’s Swimmer of the Meet, two individual and six relay National Qualifiers.
Outside of the pool, the Fall 2016 Women’s Swimming Team owned a grade point average of 3.46 to earn All-American Scholar Team honors.
From 2012-14, Ilchenko was the Ukrainian Swimming Federation National Team Swim Technique Coach and served as the Commercial Director.
With the National Team, Ilchenko guided them to seven World and European Gold Medals, 11 Junior European Gold Medals and 13 Junior Europen Silver and Bronze Medalists. They also broke four Ukranian National Records and seven Ukranian Junior Records.
“For this year and beyond, my goals consist of several factors, and the main is how the team will greet me,” said Ilchenko. “My goals are to be the first team in the nation both academically and athletically. I want to build a relationship on the team, so everyone can honestly state that he or she is a respectful student-athlete at Lindenwood-Belleville.”
He graduated from Henderson State with a Master of Science in Coaching and Sports Administration. Prior to that, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Interior Design at the University of the Incarnate Word in 2011, where he was also a Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach.
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Press Release courtesy of Lindenwood Athletics.