Head Coach Ken McLaughlin

Ken McLaughlin recently returned to SUNY Potsdam where he began his college coaching career in 1985. During his previous five-year tenure at Potsdam he had twenty-two swimmers set school record performances. Additionally there were five NCAA National Championship qualifiers, thirteen conference champions and one SUNYAC MVP.

Following Potsdam, McLaughlin spent twelve years coaching USS club teams in both the Toledo, Ohio and Albany, New York areas. He recently coached several athletes who placed at Senior Nationals and one who placed 28th at the 2000 Olympic Trials

In 1998 McLaughlin also started the NCAA Division I women's program at Siena College. Within three years, the Siena women advanced from ninth to fourth place in the ten team metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Coach McLaughlin holds both a Bachelors degree in Physical Education and a Masters of Science degree from Indiana University. During his years as a swimmer at Indiana his achievements included being a four-year Division I national qualifier and a school record holder. In 1981 he also attained a world ranking of ninth in the 50-meter Freestyle.

Assistant Coach Nathan Waldruff

Former Bear's swimmer, Nathan Waldruff, returns to the swim team this Fall as assistant coach. Waldruf, a 2002 SUNY Potsdam graduate, was actively involved with the team while also serving as head coach of the Northern Pikes for two seasons.Wladruff is also an alum of Massena Central High School.

Diving Coach Bali McLaughlin

Bali McLaughlin is looking forward to building the diving program at SUNY Potsdam. As an athlete Bali dove for Colgate University where she qualified for the 1984 NCAA Division 1 Championships. She has also won two medals at the Empire State Games including gold in the 3-Meter board.