MEN'S SPORTS

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ATHLETICS DEPT

Arthur Albiero Position: Head Coach Experience: 4th year Alma Mater: Oakland University

Cardinal swimming and diving has found a the perfect combination of visionary and architect in head coach Arthur Albiero. In his fourth season as swim coach at the University of Louisville, the Cardinals remain confident they have the right man at the helm as a new chapter of swimming begins.

In 2005-06, the Cardinals shone under his tutelage. In the inaugural season in the BIG EAST, the Cardinals had three swimmers win a total of five races and resetxx school records. Freshman Vali Preda was a three time BIG EAST champion and qualified for the NCAA Finals in three events. He swam two, finishing 13th in the 200-breast and helped U of L to a final national team ranking of No. 41. This past summer, he accompanied Preda and Adam Madarassy to the European Championships where Preda finished 21st and set a new national record for Romania. In 2004-05, Albiero helped the Cardinals to 32 school records and an unprecedented outstanding performance at the Conference USA Championship. The men finished second, a school record best, and the women improved two spots from the previous year for fourth. In 2005, U of L had Adam Madarassy who was the Swimmer of the Meet win three individual races and help the men win the 800-free relay. He set nine school records. Amanda Taylor set seven school records, won the 400-IM and was named Freshman Swimmer of the Year. Diver Robbie Lewis swept all three diving evens, setting school records and being named Diver of the Meet. The men ended up ranked No. 27 in the nation. In 2004, U of L had three conference champions with Kleber Ihara, Heather Meng and diver Sean Wilkinson (platform and 1-M) each winning their events.

Albiero has also worked closely with the architects of the Ralph Wright Natatorium, which opened last season. He oversaw the construction and design of the state-of-the-art home venue as the Cards entered the highly competitive BIG EAST Conference. Albiero came to Louisville via the University of Alabama. He spent four years as an assistant for the University of Alabama and was named the associate head coach at UA for 2002-03.

"We are delighted to have someone with Arthur's background and enthusiasm join our staff," said Athletic Director Tom Jurich. "We need someone with his passion to take this program to the highest level."

In 2002-03, the Tide's men had their highest national finish since 1994, taking 12th place after a fifth place finish at the SEC Championships. The women posted their highest finish since 1996, taking 15th place in the NCAA meet after a fourth place finish at the SEC Championships.

And Albiero knows winning. He helped coach Stefan Gherghel, who became the first Alabama swimmer to repeat as NCAA Champion. Gherghel, a 2000 Olympian, won his second consecutive NCAA in the 200-butterfly with a school record. Gherghel's title in 2001 marked the Tide's first swimming NCAA title since 1983. He swam in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Albiero also coached Anne Poleska and Vlad Poly-akov at Alabama. Poleska was the NCAA runner-up in the 200-breast and in 2002, she set a new German record for the 200-breaststroke at the World Championships in Barc-elona where she placed fourth. She was a bronze medalist in Athens in the 2004 Olympics. Polyakov was runner-up in the 200-breaststroke at the NCAAs as a freshman.

Albiero is credited with being an integral part of the rebuilding of the Alabama swimming and diving program. During his tenure, the Tide returned to the Top 20.

"One of my strengths is my relationship with the athlete. I am demanding but reasonable. I believe that you must enjoy the process of preparation," says Albiero.

At both U of L and UA, the native of Brazil oversees the middle distance and stroke athletes and directed all areas of the program including recruiting and strength and conditioning. Recruiting is always a priority for Albiero.

"We have a great situation here: a great coaching staff and a new pool which will bring a new attitude and create momentum for this program to transform U of L into a nationally recognized program," said Albiero.

A successful swimmer himself, Albiero was an 18-time All-American swimmer for Oakland University where he helped lead the Pioneers to three straight NCAA Division II team titles. He also earned three NCAA titles and was a Scholastic All-American three of those years.

"I believe you have to have fun to swim fast," said Albiero. "My main goal is to continue to establish a practice environment that is highly conducive to excellence in the classroom and the pool."

After graduation from Oakland in 1996 with a bachelor's in psychology with a minor in exercise physiology, he joined the staff at Kenyon College, a perennial powerhouse in Division III. During his three years at the helm, the Lords and Ladies of Kenyon won six national championships, three for the men and three for the women. Albiero also coached at the club level, working with the Oakland Live Y'ers in Michigan as well as running Oakland's Swim Camp and the Total Performance Swim Camp. He received a Masters Degree in Human Performance Studies - Exercise Physiology from Alabama in December of 2002.

Albiero is married to the former Amy Comerford, a former standout swimmer at Oakland. The couple has three children, Estefan, Nicolas and Gabriela.