Culp To Lead UW-Oshkosh Swimming & Diving Program

Christopher Culp, who owns 17 years of coaching at a variety of levels, has been named the head men’s and women’s swimming & diving coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Culp’s diverse background includes the tutoring of swimmers and divers from novice to elite and age group to collegiate. He has trained under two Olympic coaches, Sherm Chavoor and Mike Hastings.

“I’m excited to be a part of the UW-Oshkosh community and look forward to contributing to the success of the Titans,” Culp said. “UW-Oshkosh swimming and diving has the foundation to be a successful program, and I can’t wait to build on that foundation and create a program that the university can be proud of.”

Culp comes to UW-Oshkosh from Concordia University Irvine (Calif.), where he served the 2014-15 season as a graduate assistant coach while finishing work on a Master of Arts Degree in Coaching and Athletics Administration.

At Concordia University Irvine, Culp assisted with the organization of all swimming & diving practices, meets, recruiting and fund raising. This past season the Eagles finished fourth in both the men’s and women’s standings at the National Association of the Intercollegiate Athletics Championship in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Prior to his one season at Concordia University Irvine, Culp coached the boys and girls swimming & diving teams at Burlingame High School (Calif.) from 2005-14. He joined the Burlingame Aquatic Club in 2004 and served as the organization’s head swimming & diving coach until his departure for Concordia University Irvine.

Culp earned his first coaching position at San Francisco State University (Calif.) in 1997. He served three years as the school’s assistant swimming & diving coach before being named head coach in 2000. Culp coached the Gators until the school dropped its swimming & diving program in 2004.

Culp received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University in 1999. The Sacramento, Calif., native swam one year for the Gators and established school records in the 100-yard butterfly and the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke. Culp helped San Francisco State University finish 13th at the 1997 NCAA Division II Championship by placing 10th in the 100-yard butterfly, 11th in the 100-yard breaststroke and 13th in the 200-yard breaststroke.

“We’re extremely pleased to have someone with Chris’s credentials join our swimming and diving program,” said UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Darryl Sims. “Chris has been dedicated to the sport for nearly two decades and has earned this opportunity to coach our male and female student-athletes.”

Culp, who has been involved with numerous community service projects, is a member of the American Swim Coaches Association and the National Interscholastic Swim Coach Association.

Culp, and his wife, Ellen, have one son, Neil (two months).

Culp replaces Jon Wilson, who coached the UW-Oshkosh men’s and women’s swimming & diving teams for eight seasons.

UW-Oshkosh opens its 2015-16 swimming & diving season at the Wisconsin College Showcase on Oct. 24 in Brown Deer.

Swimming news courtesy of University of Wisconsin-Oskosh Swimming & Diving.