FGCU Swimming & Diving Head Coach Neal Studd has announced the hiring of Elizabeth Lykins as assistant swimming coach.  Lykins comes to FGCU with five years experience as a Division I assistant.

"Elizabeth comes very highly recommended," stated Studd.  "Her track record of helping improve her athletes at Colgate and Georgia Southern attracted us to her.  She has also proven to be a good recruiter."

Lykins just completed her third season as an assistant coach for the men's and women's swimming teams at Colgate University. Her primary responsibilities included coaching the mid-distance swimmers, coordinating travel, and assisting with the publication of the program's alumni newsletter. Over the past three seasons, her athletes have posted 170 personal bests and won eight conference titles.

Lykins joined the Colgate staff after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern University.

Before returning to graduate school, Lykins was the head coach of the Telluride Torpedoes for four seasons in Telluride, Colo.

Lykins is a 1998 graduate of the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C. She received a bachelor's degree in business administration after being a member of the athletic honor roll all four years. A four-year member of the swim team, Lykins was a captain for two seasons and was named women's team MVP in 1998.

Lykins received her master's degree in sports management from Georgia Southern University in May 2004.

The new team will open it's season against the University of Miami October 13th at the FGCU aquatics center.