Howard Reichner, St. Andrews Presbyterian College Athletic Director, has announced the hiring of Jason Gallaher as the inaugural head coach for the newly established Knights NCAA Division II men’s and women’s swimming program on Thursday.
 
“Coach Gallaher brings to St. Andrews vast coaching and directorship experience coupled with a strong academic background,” said Reichner.
 
Gallaher has spent the past four years as the head swimming coach and director of aquatics at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. While coaching the Vixens, Gallaher was named the 2004/2005 Old Dominion Athletics Conference Coach of the Year. Gallaher was responsible for all aspects of the swimming program including coaching, workouts, strength training, seasonal planning, recruiting, budgeting, and fundraising. Gallaher oversaw two assistants and lifeguards while also teaching aquatics and other physical education courses.
 
The Fredericksburg, Va., native will join the Knights athletics department in the spring of 2007 after he concludes his current season with the Sweet Briar swim team.
 
Gallaher will be instrumental in starting the St. Andrews men’s and women’s swimming program that will make their debut in the 2007/08 winter season as a member of the Bluegrass Mountain Conference.
 
“I could not be more excited to start a men's and women's swimming program at St. Andrews,” expressed Gallaher. “While I was on campus, it was great to see the St. Andrews Presbyterian College Community's enthusiasm for the new program.  I'm excited about going back to Division II, and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”
 
Gallaher, who will also serve as an instructor to the Physical Education department at St. Andrews, will bring strong academic values to SAPC campus as both a teacher and a former Dean’s List student-athlete.
 
“Here at St. Andrews, we continue to grow and add quality programs,” said Dr. John Deegan, Jr., college president. “During my years in college administration, I have found that swimming will add young men and women who are strong both athletically and academically. We pride ourselves at St. Andrews with offering a full range of academic, athletic, club, and social activities that places our students among the most engaged in the nation. Swimming will help us strengthen this reputation.”
 
Gallaher will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the pool for SAPC. Prior to working for Sweet Briar, Gallaher spent one year as a graduate assistant swimming coach at California University of Pennsylvania. While helping the a nationally ranked Vulcan’s swimming program, Gallaher earned a Masters of Arts degree in Social Science at California University of Pennsylvania in August of 2003.
 
The American Swimming Coaches Association and College Swimming Coaches Association of American member has furthermore worked as an assistant swimming coach at the College of William and Mary and Fairmont State College. Gallaher’s resume also boasts multiple years of other coaching experience from six years of club coaching experience in Virginia, to numerous swim camps, clinics, and lessons.
 
 
 
Gallaher graduated from Fairmont State College (West Virginia) in May of 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. As a member and co-captain of the Fighting Falcons swim team, Gallaher was a NAIA national champion in the 200 butterfly while also earning NAIA All-American status in the 200 backstroke and 200 & 400 individual medley. Gallaher was also Penn-Ohio Conference and W.V.I.A.C. champion and former record holder in multiple events.
 
Gallaher is married to his wife Kari and they have one son, Garrett.
 
If you are interested in being a member of the inaugural St. Andrews swim teams under Coach Gallaher, please contact Admissions at 1-800-763-0198.