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Marian Clark is in her third season as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's swimming teams after serving as head coach of the women's team at Pittsburgh for nine seasons from 1993-2002.
Helping guide the men's team to its seventh and eighth consecutive Big East title and having almost every women's team record fall over the past two seasons are some of the accomplishments Clark enjoyed in her first two seasons with the combined program.
Clark actually began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh after graduating from the University in 1988. She served as an assistant coach at both Florida State and Miami before being appointed to head the Pittsburgh women's program in the summer of 1993. Her appreciation for the rewards and benefits intercollegiate athletics can provide for its young participants is not lost in her coaching.
"I enjoyed my undergraduate years at Pittsburgh," Clark said. "I learned not only how to set goals within a team structure, but also how to achieve them by working and interacting with team members. A team commitment is essential for success. Obviously, I want individuals to excel, but I also want them to bring the others on the team along with them."
Clark was a major contributor to four Big East Conference championships during her undergraduate years at Pittsburgh. She was a Big East champion in the 500 freestyle in 1986, and in the 400 individual medley in 1988.
Her teamwork was also on display when she swam for eight Pittsburgh relay teams that captured Big East first-place finishes. An exercise physiology major as an undergraduate, Clark graduated cum laude and understands the main reason a student-athlete comes to college.
"We need to continue to develop student-athletes in all aspects of life," she said. "We are very committed to improving in the pool and on the boards. But we also want to emphasize that gaining a college education is the top priority for our team members. We encourage them to grow mentally, physically and emotionally."
The results have been nothing but impressive. For six consecutive years under the guidance of Clark, the Panthers were selected to the College Swim Coaches' Association All-America Academic Team list. In 2001, Pittsburgh ranked 17th in the country among women's swimming and diving teams. The team was also rewarded with the University's Academic Award for three consecutive years, which is given annually to the Pittsburgh athletic team that boasts the highest grade-point average.
"We take great pride in our academics," said Clark. "I really believe that bright student-athletes find a way to succeed both in the classroom and in the pool."
She and her husband, Todd Clark, were married this past year, and she has two daughters, Maiti (7) and Mara (6).
