CLARION, Pa. – Director of Athletics Dr. Wendy Snodgrass announced today that Bree Kelley has been named the interim head coach of both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, effective immediately. Kelley’s appointment comes on the heels of the retirement of Mark VanDyke, who stepped down as head coach earlier this week.
(Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)
“I am excited to announce that we have chosen Bree Kelley to take over as the interim head coach of our swimming and diving program,” Snodgrass said. “Her long history at Clarion includes a fantastic competition career as well as a very distinguished role on the coaching staff. I have the ultimate confidence that Bree is the person to lead our program in this transition.”
A former 12-time NCAA Division II All-American at Clarion from 2003-06, Kelley was in her seventh season as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Clarion in 2016. She has been integral in the success of the swimming programs in her time as an assistant coach, including a fourth-place finish for the women’s team at the NCAA Championships in 2011. The Golden Eagle women were second at PSAC Championships and 17th in the nation in 2013, and finished 15th at NCAA Championships in 2015. The men’s side has also excelled at the national meet with Kelley as an assistant, taking 15th in 2012, 17th in 2013, 13th in 2014, and 18th in 2015.
“I am extremely honored to receive the interim head coaching position with Clarion swimming and diving,” Kelley said. “Having come through this program, knowing the hard-working teams we had and the championships we won, I experienced firsthand what it takes to be a top contender in the PSAC. I have the utmost pride and respect for Clarion University and all our successes we’ve had over the years. My expectation for this program is to get this program back to competing for championships. We have a proud tradition here and I intend on making sure we add to that by putting quality student-athletes on both the championship and graduation platform.”
As an athlete, Kelley was among the best Clarion had to offer in the mid-2000’s. She was a 12-time All-American that helped Clarion to PSAC team championships in 2004 and 2006 as well as second-place finishes in 2003 and 2005. The Golden Eagles finished fifth at the NCAA Championships in 2004, 10th in both 2003 and 2005, and 11th in 2006.
Kelley’s best individual finish at the NCAA Championships came in 2004 when she placed eighth in the nation in the 200 Fly. She placed ninth in the event in 2006 for the other top-10 national finish in her career, and earned 12th place in 2005. In 2004 she also placed 14th in the 100 Fly, 15th in the 400 IM, in 2005 she placed 14th in the 200 IM, and in 2006 she also placed in the 100 Fly. Kelley was also part of multiple All-American relay efforts.
A 2006 graduate of Clarion with a degree in Elementary Education, Kelley is married to strength and conditioning coach Jesse Kelley. The couple have a son, Declan.
