The College of Staten Island men’s and women’s swimming and diving team is adding former four-year standout Derek Villa to its coaching staff, it was announced today. Villa will join Head Coach Michael Ackalitis and current Diving Coach Anastasia Nicholson, and replaces departing Assistant Coach P.J. Sweeney.
A four-year standout, Villa joined the team in 2013, and helped lead the Dolphins to four-straight CUNYAC titles. Along the way, Villa earned four-straight CUNYAC All-Star citations, and was a part of the CUNYAC’s All-Sportsmanship Team in 2016. Villa was the second highest point-grosser on last year’s team with 540 points and his 12 gold medals as part of relay teams were tops on the team. Villa is now expected to transfer that power back in the coaching circle.
“We are excited to welcome Derek aboard,” said head man Michael Ackalitis. “He brings great swimming knowledge and swimming experience to CSI. He is a direct product of the CSI program. I am excited that he can share his experiences with incoming freshmen and help to continue to take this program to the next level.”
Alongside coaching duties, Villa has been a lifeguard and Swim Instructor at the CSI Sports & Recreation Center. Beginning in 2016, he was elevated to a Pool Supervisor, overseeing groups and members and safety operations. From 2013-17, Villa was a part of both the St. Joseph by the Sea Boys and Girls and St. Peter’s High School Boy’s swim teams as an Assistant Coach. A former standout also at St. Peter’s, Villa is a founding father of the Upsilon-Gamma Chapter of Kappa Sigma at the College of Staten Island. He is now hoping to parlay his experience on the CSI Pool Deck with whistle in hand.
“I’m very excited to join this Dolphins squad,” Villa said. I get to be a part of a great team and I plan on sharing the knowledge that I have gained over the past eight years with this team and help them strive to compete for the CUNYAC title.”
The CSI swim season kicks off in early September with preseason training before officially kicking off its season on Saturday, October 28 against Mount Saint Mary College at the Sports & Recreation Center.
