Head Coach: Natalie Koukis
Office: (937) 327-6446
E-mail: E-Mail

Postal Address: Wittenberg University P.O. Box 720 Springfield, Ohio 45501

Package Shipping Address: Wittenberg University 225 Fountain Ave. Springfield, Ohio 45504

Natalie Koukis was chosen as head coach of the Wittenberg men's and women's swimming and diving teams in July 2004.

Koukis came to Wittenberg after two years as head men's and women's swimming and diving coach, director of aquatics and instructor of physical education at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. During her time at WPI, Koukis led both the men's and women's teams to their highest finishes ever in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference. More than a dozen swimmers received special recognition, including four All-New England, five all-conference and eight academic all-conference designations. In addition, the teams set more than 20 new school records in her two seasons.

Koukis was a good fit for the position since she is no stranger to the state of Ohio or the North Coast Athletic Conference. A native of Delaware, Ohio, Koukis was a two-year letterwinner at Ohio Wesleyan University after transferring from George Washington University. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and women's studies. She also minored in sociology.

After graduation, Koukis served as an assistant men's and women's swimming and diving coach at her alma mater from 1999 to 2001. In addition, she was the head assistant coach of the Delaware U.S. Club Team between 1997 and 2001.

Prior to her arrival at WPI, Koukis served as assistant women's swim coach at Ithaca College in 2001-02, where she also served as an instructor of physical education. She also worked at Ithaca with Sport Psychology Professor Greg Shelley as a teaching and research assistant. She graduated from Ithaca in 2002 with a master's degree in exercise and sport science, with a concentration in sport psychology. She possesses Red Cross certifications as a Water Safety Instructor and a Lifeguard Instructor and in Safety Training for Swim Coaches.

Koukis resides in Beavercreek with her husband, John Derr.

---

Assistant Coach: Bob Rafferty
Office Phone: (937) 327-7940
E-mail: E-Mail

After representing the Tigers for four years in the pool, Bob Rafferty joined the Wittenberg coaching staff on deck in 2002.

As a swimmer, Rafferty excelled in the sprinting events. He received two All-America awards in his career as part of record-setting relays. In his senior year he was named a team captain.

Rafferty earned his degree in political science in 2002. Rafferty works in the Office of University Communications as the university's webmaster. He is responsible for all content on the Wittenberg Web site, and the virtual tour that he engineered recently won a pair of national awards.

---

Assistant Coach: Daneen Maughmer

Daneen Maughmer joined the Tigers in 2004 as the assistant men's and women's swimming and diving coach.

She brings several years of swimming experience to the program after holding positions as the head swim coach in the Newport-Mesa School District and also working with the well-recognized Irvine Novaquatics Club Team in California. Maughmer earned a bachelor's in education from Urbana University and a bachelor's in Physical Education, with a specialization in aquatics, from California State University. Maughmer now resides in Springfield with her husband and two children.

---

Diving Coach: James M. Smith

James Smith joined the Tiger coaching staff in 2004 as the head diving coach.

James brings several years of diving experience to the team after coaching several club athletes to individual and team success. He was also an accomplished participant in the sport with two state championships and one runner-up title in his AAU diving career. James resides in Springfield and is the owner of At Your Service Remodeling, Inc.








Men's Swimming and Diving Home Page

Women's Swimming and Diving Home Page