2000 Olympian and gold-medalist for Team USA, Staciana Stitts Winfield, has joined the Concordia University Irvine (CA) Swimming & Diving staff as an assistant coach for the Eagles.
“When Staciana contacted us last summer, we were ecstatic!” said Eagles’ Head Coach, Jeff Boss. “Of course we knew of her, her accomplishments and stature within the sport so we were definitely interested. Once we met, we had an immediate connection. It took some time for circumstances to come together and we are thrilled to have her as part of our staff and swim family at Concordia.”
“Besides her swimming and coaching experience, we feel her greatest asset will be in recruiting, where she took charge in her previous coaching positions.” said Boss.
Staciana Stitts Winfield is a five-time American Record holder and Olympic gold medalist in the 4×100 medley relay; qualifying for the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia in the 100-meter breaststroke for Team USA. She swam in college at UC Berkeley and was team captain her junior and senior year, earning 14 All-American titles. She swam on the U.S. National team from 1998-2005, competing at the Pan American Games (1999, 2003), the Goodwill Games (1998, 2001), Short Course Worlds (2002) and multiple World Cups.
“I am humbled and honored to coach swimming at Concordia. I am grateful the Lord provided me with such a rewarding job and loving community. I look forward to helping the program continue to flourish”, stated Staciana. Adding , “Go Eagles!”
Staciana has 10 years of coaching experience at all levels of swimming. From 2008-2011 she coached Boy’s and Girl’s Varsity Swimming for The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, CA. She also taught Physical Education, swimming and yoga at Buckley.
From 2006-2008 Staciana was an assistant swim coach for the University of Southern California. She was the head women’s recruiter, parent liaison, yoga/spin/Pilates instructor for the team. She helped coach numerous Olympians and conference champions including 2-time Olympic gold medalist, 4-time NCAA Champion and World Record holder Rebecca Soni.
In 2005, she began her college coaching career at College of Charleston, in South Carolina, as assistant coach to the Men’s’ and Women’s swim team. She coached their first winning season in school history for the women’s program, going 6-2 in conference. The team broke 11 school records and had one individual conference champion.
Staciana earned her Masters of Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2012. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from UC Berkeley while majoring in American Studies, emphasis in Sport Sociology/Psychology and wrote her thesis on Post Olympic Stress Syndrome.
Since the age of 12, Staciana has Alopecia Universalis, an auto-immune disease that causes hair loss. She is a mentor and spokesperson for Children’s Alopecia Project, helping younger children with Alopecia understand what it’s like to enjoy the condition as a kid, teenager, and adult.
Before returning to Orange County she spent the last four years living overseas in Morocco and Malaysia with her husband, Brett Winfield, and daughter Kyla.
Swimming news courtesy of Concordia University Irvine Swimming & Diving.
This is sort of neat. I knew of Jeff Boss when he was in high school at LA Quntia back in the 1970’s. He was a top butterflyer and Im’er. Stacey S is not far from home since she grew up in San Diego.