POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (August 5, 2010) – Dan Decker, a 2010 graduate of Ohio University, has been named an assistant coach for the Vassar College men's and women's swimming teams. The announcement was made by Lisl Prater-Lee, head coach of both programs. 

Decker brings seven years of coaching experience to Vassar after serving as a volunteer head coach at Ohio University last season. Decker previously was the head coach for Athens High School and the Bobcat Swim Club for two years before becoming a volunteer assistant coach at Ohio University last season. 

As a volunteer at Ohio, Decker was responsible for training implementation of middle distance swimmers and assisted in all facets of training of the Division I Ohio program. He assisted in producing a 15th nationally ranked Freestyle Relay team and was instrumental in producing four individual conference champions and five school records. 

"I am very excited to have Dan Decker join the Vassar swimming and diving program,” said Prater-Lee. “Dan's coaching background has included working with athletes of varying levels, including novice swimmers and Olympic Trial Qualifiers. Taking an open minded approach to coaching, Dan is committed to providing a quality experience for the student-athlete and that is an important part of successful coaching at Vassar." 

Decker was recently named one of the nine national finalists for the American Swim Coaches' Association (ASCA) Fellows Program 2010. The Fellows program is a year-long coach mentorship program, aimed at developing the future coaching leaders of our sport. Each Fellow has a year to complete a project designed to advanced the swimming body of knowledge; the Fellow works on this project and is guided/assisted by a mentor. In general, the Fellows year starts and ends with the annual World Clinic, held in September. 

Decker graduated from Ohio University in the spring of 2009 with an undergraduate degree in Sports Management and is currently working toward earning a Masters in Coaching degree.