Oct. 3, 2008

RICHMOND - Richmond swimming & diving head coach Matt Barany announced this week the addition of Danielle Hulick to his staff as an assistant coach. Hulick joins the seven-time Atlantic 10 Champion Spiders after two years as the graduate assistant coach at Oakland University.

"Adding a new staff member can be tricky - especially when it's after the start of the season," said Barany. I have faith Danielle is the right fit for us now. Katy (Peterson) was an energetic and valuable agent in our growth as a program, and Danielle will be our confident engine as we motor forward."

Hulick replaces Katy Peterson, who took the position of assistant swimming coach at Florida State University in August.

A standout swimmer at the University of Notre Dame, Hulick began her coaching career at Oakland in Rochester Hills, Mich. following her graduation from ND. She spent two years on the Golden Grizzlies' staff as the team continued it string of Summit League Championships.

"I have entrusted her with a goal that's been on my mind for several years, so now it's our shared challenge, said Barany. "I trust her swimming knowledge, her charisma, her care, and her hard work. It's her experience at Notre Dame and at Oakland that prepares her to be impactful at Richmond, but it's her hard work that will help all of us immediately."

While swimming for the Notre Dame, Hulick was a scholarship student-athlete and won numerous athletic and academic awards in her career. The current Fighting Irish record-holder in the 100 backstroke record received her bachelor's degree in anthropology from Norte Dame and holds a master's degree in counseling from Oakland.

"I am honored and excited about the opportunity to work with our team and our coaching staff, said Hulick. "Richmond is a powerful community with impressive focus on developing members of society that are capable of giving back and being successful immediately upon graduating. The girls on the team are great at balancing their focus on both academics and athletics and are extremely hard-working young ladies with great charisma. The entire Richmond community has been very welcoming and I look forward to my time here."

With Hulick, and the hiring of Diane Maiese in July as diving coach, Barany's staff is now complete.

"What a difference a year can make, said Barany. "With the additions of new coaches (Diane and Danielle) and a large freshmen class (eight), we get to re-test our core principles as a program. The team has received all the "newbies" with open minds and open arms. I have been impressed with the leadership from our upperclassmen. I think we've seen flashes of excitement, but I try to remind these ladies that this group hasn't won anything."

The Spiders open the 2008-09 season October 24 at Penn State.