University of the Ozarks

LemonAid’s mission is to introduce athletes to the opportunity of a lifetime: collegiate athletics. To do so, both athletes and colleges need improved visibility, which is exactly what LemonAid delivers. As a mobile app with a free profile for each user, coaches and athletes can take the recruiting process anywhere, any time. This Spotlight series is to further enhance visibility of LemonAid members. Want your program spotlighted? Let us know!

University of the Ozarks–Clarksville, AR

Inaugural Season: 2016-2017

Head Coach: David DeGeus

Tell us about your swimming and coaching background:

I swam for UNLV and Henderson State University, where I was a 7-time NCAA DII All-American and Conference champion in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke. I was an undergraduate assistant coach at HSU for one year. After that, I became the assistant coach for the Central Arkansas Swim Club Racers, before becoming the Head coach for the Clarksville branch of the Racers.

In your interview, what is the University’s vision for the program?

The University of the Ozarks feels that swimmers are very dedicated in the pool and that dedication continues into the classroom. Because of this, a swim program will fit in well at the university.

What is your vision for the program?

I will build a team of 20 men and 20 women, at least 2 NCAA National qualifiers, and contend for a conference championship within 4 years.

What are some of your strongest held coaching beliefs?

Hard work equals results, and everyone has a shot. Sometimes you have to believe in your swimmers before they can believe in themselves.

Do you have scholarships? And if so, how many?

We are a DIII program, so the University of the Ozarks only offers academic scholarships.

What conference are you in, and who are the other teams in it?

We are in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) along with Austin College, Centenary College of Louisiana, Colorado College, Southwestern University, Trinity University, and McMurry University.

Let’s look out three years from now. Describe the program you have built.

The University of the Ozarks will have established itself in the NCAA community and set itself apart from other universities. Our university will have that ‘wow’ factor that quality college recruits are looking for.

Who are you searching for? Describe your ideal recruits.

I want to recruit both male and female swimmers that are willing to work hard and open to new ideas; students that will strive to be successful and stand out in a crowd. We need students that want to be part of a small family environment, with academics at the forefront of their priorities.

How can LemonAid add value to your job, and help you build your program?

LemonAid provides me with easy access and communication between recruits and myself. It can eliminate the need for multiple recruiting sites, and allows me to have all my college recruiting tools with me anywhere, any time.

Like and follow University of the Ozarks on Facebook

Like and follow LemonAid on Facebook