University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Swimming & Diving Names Marian Clark Assistant Coach
7/15/2026 10:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
PITTSBURGH – Marian Clark has been named an assistant coach for Pitt Swimming & Diving, Katie Kasprzak, Director of Swimming & Diving, announced Wednesay morning. Clark transitions into the full-time coaching role after serving as the program's director of operations since 2021.
"I couldn't be more excited that Marian is remaining with Pitt Swimming & Diving and stepping into this role," Kasprzak said. "After 33 years at Pitt, she knows this program better than anyone, and her passion and commitment to our success are stronger than ever. The moment I accepted this position, I knew I wanted Marian by my side.
What makes Marian special goes well beyond her knowledge of the sport. She is a role model of the highest character and someone our student-athletes, both men and women, look up to every day. She leads with compassion while bringing the competitiveness and drive that will continue to elevate our program.
Marian genuinely loves our student-athletes, this university and this program. She embodies all the qualities you want in a coach and leader, and what I admire most is that it has never been about her. Everything she does is centered on what's best for our student-athletes and Pitt Swimming & Diving as a whole."
Clark began her professional career in the Pitt Athletic Department in 1993 as the head women's swimming coach. After nine years, she transitioned into the director of operations role for both the men's and women's teams and began coaching both genders. In 2016, she was named Pitt's director of athletic travel and also serves as an Anthony Travel account manager for the Athletic Department.
Prior to Pitt, Clark was an assistant coach at Florida State and Miami before returning to her alma mater as head coach. During her 23-season Pitt coaching tenure, she led teams to Big East and ECAC championships and coached multiple NCAA All-Americans. Twenty-five different swimmers and divers coached by Clark had their names engraved on the Athletic Department Walk of Fame, and her teams achieved Academic All-American status every year. In each of her final four seasons as coach, Clark's distance swimmers represented Pitt at the NCAA Championships.
In 2014, Clark was named a Pitt Varsity Letter Club Awardee of Distinction for distinguishing herself in her profession and enhancing the value of Pitt's intercollegiate athletic program.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to full-time coaching at Pitt," Clark said. "It's an honor to stand alongside Katie, Ian, Josh and Austin as we begin this new chapter for Panther Swimming and Diving. Hail to Pitt!"
A Wilmington, Delaware, native, Clark was also a standout student-athlete at Pitt. She was a University Provost Scholar, graduated cum laude and was awarded the Big East Conference Post Graduate Scholarship. Clark was an NCAA qualifier, a 10-time Big East champion and a major contributor to four consecutive Big East team championships.
After graduation, Clark continued her swimming career at the professional level. She was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world in FINA's inaugural Open Water World Series. She held the world record for 12 years in the Capri to Naples 21-mile swim and has been inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.
