Division II Alderson Broaddus University has hired a new head coach, luring Payton Brooks away from the Bolles School, where he had served as an assistant coach for two seasons.
Alderson Broaddus, based in Philippi, West Virginia, competes in the Appalachian Swimming Conference and Division II of the NCAA.
Brooks is no stranger to the state of West Virginia, having spent five seasons as an athlete at West Virginia University. He swam four years for the Mountaineers, leading the team to its first-ever Big East title in 2007. Interestingly enough, after exhausting his swimming eligibility, Brooks spent a year as a wide receiver on West Virginia’s football team.
Brooks got the opportunity to coach alongside his college coach, Sergio Lopez, at the Bolles School for two years. The Bolles School of Jacksonville, Florida is one of the premier high school swimming programs in the nation, and Lopez a legendary high school coach. Brooks now leaves Bolles at about the same time as his mentor Lopez, who took a coaching position at a National Training Center in Singapore.
The Alderson Broaddus Battlers will compete in the Appalachian Conference meet in just a month – the meet begins on February 12th in Christiansburg, Virginia.
You can read more about the hire on the school’s website here.
Although we miss you already; wishing you all the best. Enjoy the ride and change the lives of all the athletes you coach. All my best!
I am so proud of you Payton and I am very happy for you, Madison and Stone. You are back home and close to your family and Madison’s family. Most important you have now the chance to help WV swimming take few steps forward with swimming at al levels. Personally I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me and my family as a swimmer, coach and friend.
I still remember the day I drove to Marshall U. to watch you swim and to start recruiting you. Thanks for trusting me and for believing in the team and the process #CountryRoads #OnceAMountaineerAlwaysAMountaineer #2007BigEastSwimming&DivingChamps
Very happy to see a young and talented coach like you taking an opportunity… Read more »
I am so proud of Payton y more than anything very happy for him and his beautiful family. I still remember the day I went to Marshall’s pool to watch him swim and start recruiting him. He was a very talented athlete and has an amazing passion for sports and most important to empower people to understand who they are and what they need to do to be the best they can be.
Now we have another young-talented coach in the college ranks in the USA that makes another University a viable place for swimmers (student-athletes) to attend, be part of a team and most important #LivingTheDream.
Best of Luck to Payton, Madisen and Stone #GoAldersonBroaddus #NeverGiveUpOnYourDreams
Payton thanks for… Read more »
It is great to see my former swimmer, co-worker and friend with this wonderful opportunity to work in his home state of West Virginia and able to give back to Almost Heaven. He is a dedicated and driven person and will do very well!! Best of Luck to Payton, Madison, Stone, Lance and the AB family!!