Olympic Greats Join The Coaching Ranks For The Historic Battle At The Burr

Washington DC – The excitement mounts as the Howard Bison and the Georgetown Hoyas
announce their honorary Assistant Coaches for the Battle At The Burr on October 1.

Howard & Georgetown select Team USA royalty to boost their competitive advantages.
The Battle At The Burr is the season opener for both teams. This monumental event, taking place during the Howard Athletics’ Hall Of Fame Weekend, is slated for record-breaking attendance. Georgetown coach Jack Leavitt and Howard coach Nic Askew look to capitalize on the VIP presence surrounding the ceremony to stimulate awareness of the sport and garner financial support from alumni and the community-at-large.
The Bison have declared Olympic Silver medalist Maritza McClendon as the honorary Assistant Coach for this extraordinary occasion. McClendon competed in the 2004 Athens games and was the first African-American woman ever to make an Olympic swim team. “I have had the pleasure of working with Coach Nic on several events over the years. Coach Nic has built a program at Howard University that develops student athletes and good citizens. I’m always ready to cheer on the team!” says McClendon.
Howard University is the only Historically Black College & University (HBCU) with a competitive swim team. Coach Nic Askew, who will be inducted into the HU Hall Of Fame this year, embraces the call to attract people of color to the sport. “We are both vocal and visible advocates for water safety and promoting the sport of swimming in our Black and Brown communities,” says McClendon.
Georgetown announced two-time Olympic medalist Katie Meili as the VIP addition to their coaching staff. Meili was a member of the 2016 US Team, winning gold and bronze medals in the Rio games. She attended Georgetown Law School and served as a volunteer assistant coach while there for two years. “I’m thrilled and so excited,” exclaimed Meili. “Swim meets are so much fun. I’m excited so many people in the community will get to experience that.”
Both Olympians agree that swimming is a sport that can be adapted at any age, by any one. “It’s never too late to learn how to swim. Swimming is the only sport that is also a life saving skill and everyone should learn how to swim,” states McClendon. Meili sums it up this way: “Being in the water is the best. It’s simultaneously peaceful, reflective, and fun. Swimming is a sport that you can do forever – it’s never too late to learn or to get comfortable in the water!”

Press release courtesy Howard University

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