| abstract | - MACOMB, Ill. , March 26th, 2009 Western Illinois University Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine has announced the resignation of head swimming and diving coach Sean Raffile. "I am appreciative of what Sean has done to continue the success of our swimming and diving programs," said Van Alstine. "He proved he can coach as evidenced by our team's successes in the pool." In his only year at Western Illinois Raffile was named The Summit League's 2009 Women's Coach of the Year, guiding the Westerwinds to a second-place finish at the conference championships. Two swimmers won events at the meet while a total of 13 earned all-conference awards. A pair of divers competed in the NCAA Zone Championships and three swimmers qualified for USA Swimming's Short Course Nationals. In addition, 95 percent of the squad achieved lifetime bests, 12 school records were broken, two new Brophy Pool marks were set, and 20 other performances ranked among the school's all-time top-10 list. In the classroom, the men's team achieved a 2.96 grade point average and the women recorded a 3.24 team GPA. "Western Illinois has provided me with an opportunity to prove that I can successfully and simultaneously coach both a men's and women's Division I program," said Raffile. "I am grateful for the experience I have gained and the small part I was given in the history of the swimming and diving program at Western. I hope the best for the program and the quality student-athletes that Western attracts." "I certainly respect Sean's desire to return closer to home," said Van Alstine. "We wish him nothing but happiness in his personal and professional endeavors." Hired in August 2008, Raffile leaves Western Illinois with eight years of coaching experience, including five at the Division I level. Prior to coming to Macomb he was the head coach at Wagner College for three seasons and had served as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Georgia.
|
