May 14, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina announced Tuesday the hiring of Stephanie Putzi as assistant coach for swimming and diving. Putzi comes to USC after a one-year stint as assistant coach at Cincinnati and two years as graduate assistant coach at Auburn.
“We’re thrilled to have Stephanie join the Gamecock staff,” said USC Swimming Head Coach Don Gibb. “We are excited with the enthusiasm she brings to our program and the experience she gained working with a championship caliber program at Auburn. We are very excited for the future of the South Carolina swimming and diving program.”
Putzi most recently served as assistant swimming coach for the men’s and women’s swimming teams at the University of Cincinnati this past season. Prior to joining Cincinnati, Putzi worked as a graduate assistant coach for two years at Auburn under head coach David Marsh. While at Auburn, the men’s squad earned two SEC championships and the women’s squad was the 2002 National Champion. Before returning to her alma mater, Putzi established and was head coach at Lewis University from 1997-2000 for the men’s and women’s programs. Putzi also served as certification coordinator for the American Swimming Coaches Association from 1994-1997.
“I’m excited to be at South Carolina and to be a part of Coach Gibb’s staff as the program continues to build and improve each year,” said Coach Putzi. “It is great to be back in the SEC and I look forward to coaching here and working with the staff and the student-athletes.”
A graduate of Auburn University in 1991, Putzi will receive a master of science degree in Communications and Spanish in the summer of 2003 from Auburn. While attending Auburn, Putzi was an All-American and SEC champion in 1987 in the 200 breaststroke. In her swimming career, Putzi was a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier (1984, 1988), seven-time YMCA champion and a US National Finalist. Putzi also earned Academic All-American honors.
Putzi will marry Major David Barnes of the United States Marine Corps on September 20, 2003.
