Augustana Names Andrew Makepeace Program’s Second Swim & Dive Head Coach

Courtesy: Augustana Athletics

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana Athletics has announced its second swimming & diving head coach in Andrew Makepeace. Makepeace joins the Vikings following his 11 years as the head coach for swimming & diving at Findlay University in Findlay, Ohio.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to embark on the next chapter of my coaching career as the head swimming and diving coach at Augustana University,” said Makepeace. ” This moment is bittersweet. My time at Findlay has facilitated so much personal and professional growth and makes me grateful for the countless opportunities being an Oiler afforded me and the strong relationships I will cherish, however, this position and team excite me more than words can express.”

“I want to thank Madison Peterson and Josh Morton for making this possible,” Makepeace added. ” They, along with so many others, made me feel welcome and included and made Augustana feel like home.  Josh’s vision for Augustana athletics gets me excited to take the swimming and diving program to the next level.  Lindsie Micko did an amazing job establishing this program and I look to continue the upward trajectory to reach even greater heights.”

While at Findlay University, Makepeace built the Oilers swimming and diving program into one of the best in the Midwest. Under his guidance, the women’s team had 45 NCAA Division II All-Americans while the men’s team had 18. He has been named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Coach of the Year six times and has won five G-MAC championships with the men and two with the women. Across his 11 seasons at Findlay, his student-athletes established 65 women’s school records and 84 men’s school records.

Both of his teams at UF have also had much success in the classroom, earning Academic All-American honors in each of his seasons. In 2012-13, his men’s squad recorded the highest GPA in all of NCAA Division II swimming.

“We are thrilled to have Andrew and his family join the Augustana Community,” said Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator, Madison Peterson. “Andrew is a proven winner and will be a great leader for our Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Program.”

Prior to his time at Findlay, Makepeace was the assistant men’s and women’s swimming & diving coach at Minnesota State. He helped develop over 25 All-America student-athletes over his four years, while also aiding development in 50 NCAA qualifiers.

Coach Makepeace garnered his Master of Science in sport & exercise physiology as well as his Bachelor of Arts of english literature from Minnesota State. He is a four-year letter winner for Minnesota State from 2004 to 2008. His accolades include the 2007 and 2008 team captain as well as Most Inspirational in 2008. He also earned all-conference honors in 2006 and 2007.

“We are excited to plant down roots in the Sioux Falls area and become pillars across campus and the community,” Makepeace said. “I am eager to move back to the Midwest and get started as a Viking!”

Makepeace is married to his wife, Bree, and together they have a son, Boone, and daughter, Riplee. Bree is a 2016 and 2018 graduate of Augustana University.