The history of swimming and diving at Indian River State College is storied, but never has the Head Coaching position been occupied by an alumnus of the program. Sion Brinn, 1993 graduate of what was then Indian River Community College, has been named Head Swimming and Diving Coach. As a former athlete at “THE RIVER”, Brinn knows first-hand what it takes to earn a national title. IRSC holds the nation’s longest intercollegiate winning streak in the country, with 39 national titles for the men and 35 for the women as well as over 20 other national records.
Sion Brinn
“Brinn will bring a unique perspective to Indian River’s program as an individual who was part of creating history,” said Scott Kimmelman, IRSC Athletic Director. “He will be able to relate to the time and dedication each athlete must put in to assure that IRSC’s winning streak continues. As a Head Coach, at Wright State University, he has he has demonstrated a clear understanding of what it takes to balance training and coursework to achieve success in all aspects of life as a college swimmer or diver.”
Brinn brings a wealth of knowledge in the sport and an impressive athletic career to the position. His resume as an athlete includes two Olympic Games (Sydney 2000 and Atlanta 1996), four World Short Course Championships (Athens 2000, Hong Kong 1999, Gothenburg, Sweden 1997 and Rio 1995), and he traveled the world on the FINA World Cup Tour 1996 and 1997. Brinn was a 14-time NJCAA All-American, the 1993 NJCAA Swimmer of the Year, the NJCAA National Record Holder in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle events and was inducted into the NJCAA Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame in 2004. As a swimmer at the NCAA Division 1 level, Brinn competed for Louisiana State University. At LSU, he finished 7th in the 100 Free at the 1995 championships, earning All-American honors. Additionally, he was named Honorable Mention All-America in the 200 & 400 free relays and the 400 medley relay during his career with the Tigers.
The past 13 years, Brinn has been with the Wright State University swimming and diving program in Dayton, Ohio. His career began in 2000 as an assistant coach and he was elevated to Head Coach of the program in July of 2005. During his tenure with the Raiders, Brinn’s teams have won a total of nine Horizon League Championships, and he has been recognized by his peers as the Coach of the Year in the league during the 2006, 2007 and 2008 championships.
Success in the pool is not the only area of importance to Brinn in his leadership role. The Raider program has been named to the College Swim Coaches’ Association of America academic honor roll in nearly every year since Brinn’s association with the program.
Brinn, his wife Melissa and children, Emerson and Avalie, will arrive in Florida for a June 4start date, just in time for the June 28 delivery of their third daughter.
This is an unedited press release.
Go river ! !
Fantastic Hire! When the funding was remotely respectable Wright State was a very respectable Mid-Major.
Congrats to both parties – super fit