Chris Heckman

Chris Heckman completed a successful first season in 2021-22 as head coach of the Golden Flyers' men's and women's swimming and diving teams.

After a stint at Medaille College that was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Heckman took over at Nazareth in 2021 and guided both teams to Empire 8 Conference titles. For the men's team, it marked the Golden Flyers second straight championship while the women's team won for the fourth year in a row. Heckman and his staff were recognized as as E8 Coaching Staffs of the Year.

Heckman's 2021-22 campaign culminated with a pair of All-American awards. After two straight cancellations due to the pandemic, the NCAA Division III Championships were contested in Indianapolis and diver Allie Norwood and sprint freestyler Taylor Robey each landed on the All-American podium. Norwood finished eighth in 1-meter and 15th in 3-meter diving and Robey placed fifth in the 50-yard freestyle.

A graduate of SUNY Brockport, Heckman swam there for four seasons and was chosen in 2019 to start a program at Medaille College in Buffalo. The Mavericks were limited to just one meet in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Medaille, Heckman also served Strength and Conditioning Coach for the 19-team athletic department.

Before joining the staff at Medaille, Heckman spent one season as Assistant Swim Coach at Stevens Institute of Technology, a former member of the Empire 8 Conference. In the 2018-19 season, Heckman helped the Ducks to the E8 title in men's swimming and diving and a runner-up finish in women's swimming and diving.

Heckman's experience also includes two seasons as an assistant coach at Brockport and seven years as a swim instructor and lifeguard in his hometown of Ballston Spa, N.Y.

As a swimmer at Brockport, Heckman competed in the sprint freestyle and butterfly events and earned an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and a Master's degree in Athletic Administration.