Hired in 2007, Jack Leavitt is in his third season as an assistant coach with the New York University women’s swimming team. His responsibilities include recruiting, developing and implementing strength and conditioning programs, and working with the sprinters.
In his first two years at NYU, Leavitt’s tutelage has helped the Violets go 20-1 (.952) in dual meets, establish 15 school records, tie an all-time best with a second-place finish at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships last winter, and develop sophomore Chelsea Pfohl (7th in 100 butterfly, 2008) and freshman Molly Rippe (11th in 1,650 freestyle, 2009) into All-American performers.
Last season, Leavitt was part of the UAA Coaching Staff of the Year after Patricia Beck, who also qualified for the NCAA Championships, captured the 200 backstroke and 200 individual medley titles en route to garnering UAA Swimmer of the Year honors. Pfohl (100 butterfly, 100 backstroke co-champion), Rippe (1,650 freestyle), junior Danielle Hildebrandt (200 butterfly), and freshman Regina Romain (100 backstroke co-champion) also won individual championships.
A 2006 graduate of Seton Hall University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a concentration in public relations, Leavitt was a four-year member of the Pirates’ swim team. He was named team MVP for the 2004-05 season and was the Big East champion in the 100-yard backstroke in 2005. Holder of three team records (100 backstroke, 800 freestyle, 200 medley relay), Leavitt was a United States Open Qualifier finalist from 2003-2006. He served as the Pirates’ team captain in both 2005-06 (when he redshirted) and in 2006-07 (as a graduate student).
“Jack and I share the same goals for the program,” NYU head coach Lauren Beam said. “He understands the potential that our team has and I believe he has what it takes to help raise the profile of NYU swimming. In addition to working closely with our sprinters, he has input into our pool and dry-land workouts, and is involved with the technical aspects of training.”
Leavitt served as a coach for the St. Croix Dolphins and the Virgin Islands National Swim Team in 2006, and was a teacher and lifeguard coordinator for the Seton Hall Aquatics program in 2005.
A native of East Boston, MA, Leavitt also serves as a Natatorium Manager at NYU’s Jerome S. Coles Sports Center. He resides in Jersey City, NJ.
