Southern Illinois University has named Michael Hampel the new assistant coach of the swimming & diving program, joining the Salukis after two seasons as an assistant at Keiser University.
Hampel replaces Ivan Sanchez, who left SIU after six seasons to join the University of Kentucky staff in June.
Read the full SIU press release below:
Courtesy: SIU Athletics
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Swimming and Diving program adds a new assistant coach to the program.
Michael Hampel served as the assistant coach at Keiser University. By his second year, he had helped lead the women to their third straight NAIA championship, and the men finished as runner-up in the NAIA Championship.
“As a coach, he has produced some amazing swimmers in a short period of time at his previous stops, and I am extremely excited to have him joining the Saluki Swimming & Diving Family as our newest assistant coach,” said Head Coach Geoff Hansen.
Hampel’s personal swimming career includes being a two-time high school All-American. In college, he was selected for the First Team All-MAC twice and was a member of the 2020 Mid-American Conference Championship team. In 2020 he also qualified for the Olympic Trials.
“Having watched Michael as a student-athlete in our conference for a portion of his swimming career, I was always impressed by his leadership and passion for his team and our sport. He will be a great addition to the staff and will bring great new ideas and a lot of energy to the pool deck. GO DAWGS!” said Hansen.
Prior to Keiser, Hampel helped lead the University of West Florida swimming & diving program to their fourth consecutive NSISC Conference Championship and sixth overall in the program’s tenth year. Hampel joined the Argonaut staff with six years of club-level experience, most recently, two years as Head Age Group at Missouri State Aquatics. He helped guide the program at MSA to its first combined (Men’s and Women’s) scoring finish in program history at Speedo Sectionals.
Hampel was a member of the University of Louisville’s eighth-ranked 2017 Men’s NCAA Recruiting Class, and was also a four-time CSCAA Academic All-American, a three-time MAC distinguished scholar and a two-time ACC Honor Roll member.
Hampel earned a bachelor’s in General Studies with an emphasis in Biomedical Science, Kinesiology, and Psychology from Missouri State University in 2022. He also earned a master’s in professional studies with an emphasis and graduate certificate in Sports Management.
Congratulations Michael. I know you’ll do great things in Carbondale!