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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Schaffer joins Zambian coaching staff, lands Olympic dream
7/6/2016 1:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University's swimming and diving head coach, Steve Schaffer, has always wanted to be part of the Olympics. This year, he's finally getting the opportunity – as a coach. Schaffer will join the Zambian coaching staff at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, assisting GCU swimmer Jade Howard.
After retiring from club coaching, Schaffer received a call from GCU to lead the swimming and diving program, restoring his dream of coaching at the Olympics.
"The first Olympic opening ceremony I ever watched was the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City and I remember looking at it thinking 'I want to be there someday. I want to do that,'" Schaffer said. "That was my goal during my time as an athlete and then later on when I got into coaching. I managed to get kids through Olympic trials but not far enough to get on the US team. Once I got the job [at GCU], it opened up a whole new door of possibilities because I could recruit internationally."
Since coming on board eight years ago, Schaffer has focused on taking baby steps to consistently recruit top-talent in order to improve the program as a whole. His unwavering dedication has not gone unnoticed.
In addition to garnering notable titles such as 2011 NCAA Division II Men's Swimming Coach of the Year and setting the Lopes up for their brightest season yet after both men and women finished 3rd in the WAC Championships, Schaffer has applied his coaching expertise to the 2012 Short Course World Championships, 2013 World University Games, 2013 World Championships for Finland and the 2015 World Championships for Zambia.
As Howard's personal coach at the World Championships for Zambia last year, Schaffer is looking forward to accompanying her on the world's biggest stage: the Olympics.
"Jade is swimming really well and taking this very seriously," Schaffer added. "I know she'll accomplish a nice drop in her times. Just to be able to get on that type of stage and step up and improve your times under that kind of pressure is a huge deal, so that's what we're looking for."
Schaffer knows that just getting his swimmers to the Olympics is something to be proud of, but that doesn't mean he's setting the bar low. Already looking towards the future, he has his sights set on the 2017 World Championships in Hungary as well as the 2020 Olympic Games.
"There's a lot to look forward to," Schaffer continued. "Our ability to recruit better talent steps up each time we're able to make a splash and get kids swimming at the international level. I am grateful to Zambia for allowing me to be part of their staff and grateful to the leadership of Grand Canyon for not only providing me the opportunity to coach here, but for providing the resources necessary to recruit Olympic level athletes. I could not have accomplished this without them."
After retiring from club coaching, Schaffer received a call from GCU to lead the swimming and diving program, restoring his dream of coaching at the Olympics.
"The first Olympic opening ceremony I ever watched was the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City and I remember looking at it thinking 'I want to be there someday. I want to do that,'" Schaffer said. "That was my goal during my time as an athlete and then later on when I got into coaching. I managed to get kids through Olympic trials but not far enough to get on the US team. Once I got the job [at GCU], it opened up a whole new door of possibilities because I could recruit internationally."
Since coming on board eight years ago, Schaffer has focused on taking baby steps to consistently recruit top-talent in order to improve the program as a whole. His unwavering dedication has not gone unnoticed.
In addition to garnering notable titles such as 2011 NCAA Division II Men's Swimming Coach of the Year and setting the Lopes up for their brightest season yet after both men and women finished 3rd in the WAC Championships, Schaffer has applied his coaching expertise to the 2012 Short Course World Championships, 2013 World University Games, 2013 World Championships for Finland and the 2015 World Championships for Zambia.
As Howard's personal coach at the World Championships for Zambia last year, Schaffer is looking forward to accompanying her on the world's biggest stage: the Olympics.
"Jade is swimming really well and taking this very seriously," Schaffer added. "I know she'll accomplish a nice drop in her times. Just to be able to get on that type of stage and step up and improve your times under that kind of pressure is a huge deal, so that's what we're looking for."
Schaffer knows that just getting his swimmers to the Olympics is something to be proud of, but that doesn't mean he's setting the bar low. Already looking towards the future, he has his sights set on the 2017 World Championships in Hungary as well as the 2020 Olympic Games.
"There's a lot to look forward to," Schaffer continued. "Our ability to recruit better talent steps up each time we're able to make a splash and get kids swimming at the international level. I am grateful to Zambia for allowing me to be part of their staff and grateful to the leadership of Grand Canyon for not only providing me the opportunity to coach here, but for providing the resources necessary to recruit Olympic level athletes. I could not have accomplished this without them."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
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