May 17, 2005
Indianapolis, Ind. - Maurice Stewart, who helped Auburn University to NCAA Championships in both men's and women's swimming over the past two seasons, has been named the head swim coach at Butler University, athletic director John Parry announced Tuesday (May 17). Stewart will oversee both the men's and women's teams at Butler and will begin his duties immediately.
"We believe that Maurice brings the right combination of experience and enthusiasm to our program here at Butler," said Parry. "With the university's new fitness center providing us with an on-campus practice facility in the near future and Maurice's leadership, we are excited about the direction of our swimming program."
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Butler men's and women's swimming program beginning with the 2005-06 season," said Stewart. "I am confident that the experience I bring from Auburn University, as well as the support I anticipate from the Butler Athletic Department, will help me create a bright future for Butler student-athletes and successfully guide them to academic and swimming excellence."
Stewart served as an assistant to Auburn head coach David Marsh over the last two seasons. During that time, the Tigers won men's NCAA Championships in both 2004 and 2005, while the women's team won the national championship in 2004. In addition to dry land and on-deck coaching specifically in butterfly and sprint freestyle with varsity student-athletes, Stewart assisted in seasonal planning and training of post-graduate athletes for the 2004 Olympic Trials.
In his role with the varsity team and Auburn Aquatics as a whole, Stewart served as an academic group coach for student-athletes, assisted with administrative duties including on-campus recruiting, team equipment, and coordinated a successful Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser for Auburn Swimming. He also served as an Auburn Aquatic assistant coach and as camp coordinator, coach and counselor for the Auburn Tiger Swim Camps.
Prior to arriving at Auburn, Stewart was the head coach at Sugar Creek Swim Club in St. Louis, Mo., for four years. There, he coached an athlete to the 2000 Junior National Championships in the 100-yd. and 200-yd. breaststroke events. He also coached several Top-16 athletes and Ozark LSC champions. He was an Ozark LSC senior committee member from 1999-2003 and served as the Ozark LSC Head Zone Coach for the 15-18 age group in 2001.
Stewart owned the University of Kentucky record in the 100-yd. butterfly from 1993-2000. As a Wildcat, he was named a 1993 co-captain and was a NCAA consideration time and Senior National Qualifier in the 100-yd. butterfly. Prior to arriving at Kentucky, Stewart was a member of the Indian River Community College national championship team in 1991. There he was a National Junior College Athletic Association six-time All-American and national champion in the 100-yd. butterfly.
Stewart graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1996. He replaces R.J. Talyor, who served as the interim head coach at Butler during the 2004-05 season.
