Conference recognition so far
Building a legacy: Coaching With Kindness
Coach Gene Damm
The story of swimming at Mount Saint Mary College begins with Coach Gene Damm.
Coach Damm started the Mount's varsity swim program in 1997. He coached alongside his wife, Mary, until 2012 when the dynamic duo handed over the reigns of the program—leaving behind a tradition of excellence, built on coaching with kindness.
During his time at the Mount, Coach Damm remembers leading "traditionally small, but strong teams." This dynamic of close-knit and driven swimmers helped him bond with the athletes, and allowed him to focus on his favorite element to coach: stroke technique.
I always considered myself a motivational coach."
Coach Damm has plenty to show for his successful career, including two of the only Open ECAC qualifiers in program history, five Skyline Conference Swimmers of the Year, 20 Skyline individual champions, and 20 Knights who set program records that still stand today. Coach Damm also holds a Level-5 ranking from the American Swimming Coaches Association, the highest national level of recognition one can achieve in the sport.
But Coach Damm would prefer to tell you about the kind of people his swimmers turned into, after their time at Mount Saint Mary College. He is proud to say that many of his swimmers moved on to "careers of helping people," like nursing, medicine and education. He believes swimming teaches us lessons that played a role in their passion and drive toward these careers.
For instance, swimming in a relay teaches us about teamwork, and the importance of being part of something bigger than yourself. The demanding nature of the sport also teaches discipline.
In a tough meet you don't try to win for yourself, you try to win it for your team. That's when you'll get your best times."
Most of all, he believes his teams over the years all had one thing in common: they worked hard, and had fun doing it. This legacy built by Coach Damm has stuck with the program to this day.
Alumni Spotlight
Q&A with Kitty Masayda, Class of 2024
Joining a sport was 100% the best decision I made when attending college.
Q: What events did you swim?
100 breast, 200 breast, 100 fly, 200 IM.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories from being part of the MSMC swim team?
Making meals and eating together as an entire team during winter break at the dorms, hanging out with teammates for pre-practice heat/PT/stretching in trainer room, Marv (our favorite bus driver) playing hip hop as we get on the bus post-meet, and initiation of team ice baths for new swimmers!
Q: What was your proudest accomplishment as a swimmer at MSMC?
Of course seeing my times drop the more I improved throughout the 4 years of college, and the friends I have made along the way.
Q: How did being on the swim team impact your college experience?
Having automatic friends coming into college, especially mentors and upperclassmen that have been in your exact shoes before. Also, being part of something bigger than yourself.
Q: What have you been doing since graduating?
I passed my NCLEX this summer and am now an RN at Yale New Haven Hospital, working in the progressive pulmonary step-down unit. I hope to get experience, then transfer to the ICU and complete an RN-to-paramedic pathway program.
Q: How did your experiences as a student-athlete at MSMC influence your career or personal life?
Being a student-athlete helped me learn to manage my time efficiently since I had to balance schoolwork and my swimming schedule. It also helped me see the importance of leading a lifestyle that is balanced with exercise, and how a sport can manage outlying stressors. Most of all, swimming helped me learn to embrace difficult times (like 6 AM practices) with a "get-after-it attitude," so I can try my hardest for my team even though I may not feel motivated for myself.
Q: Are you still involved in swimming or any other sports?
Olympic triathlon/half ironman training for races in the summer, an adult soccer league, and road-biking club. I also stay in touch with former teammates and coaches!
Q: Any advice you would like to give to current swimmers or student-athletes at MSMC?
Take practice and studying one day at a time, coaches are there to help you succeed in athletics and coursework. All you have to do is speak up! Joining a sport was 100% the best decision I made when attending college.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your time at MSMC or your life after graduation?
You get lifelong friends and mentors!! Almost all the lessons learned from playing a sport in college will give you valuable lifelong skills, especially ones that will be useful in the workforce, regardless of your major.
Senior Spotlight
Q&A with Stefanie Sommer, class of 2025
I loved my experience as a MSMC swimmer and wish this year could last forever because I know I'm going to miss it so much.
Q: What events do you swim?
100 back, 200 back and the 500 free.
Q: What motivated you to join the MSMC swim team?
I love to swim and wanted to find a small team where everyone shared that same passion as me. Swimming has always been more than just a hobby, it was a way for me to unwind and build long-lasting friendships. Coming from my overnight trip where we played so many games and I got a taste of what the team was like I knew I would love it. I also had the privilege of knowing Coach Chris, what an amazing coach he was and how he could improve my strokes and ultimately my times. Both of these experiences helped solidify my decision to be a Mount St Mary Knight and a part of the swim team.
Q: What is your favorite part about being on the team?
I love how close our team is with each other. It is a built-in family that is there through the ups and the downs. We celebrate birthdays, do a team secret Santa, have meals together, do homework together and so much more. We are such a close-knit group where everyone is supportive and motivates each other to improve and be challenged along the way both in and out of the water.
Q: What has been your proudest moment as a member of the team so far?
My proudest moment would have to be when our team came in second at Skylines in the 2023-2024 season. It was nice to see our team come together, cheering for each other and to see all of our hard work pay off.
Q: What's the team atmosphere like?
The atmosphere of the team is a fun, supportive family. Everyone is there for each other for the good and tough times. During practice and meets, we also get super competitive whether it’s who can hold a plank for the longest or who has the fastest time. It helps motivate us to keep going through the challenging morning practices.
Q: What is your major, and how are you balancing academics with athletics?
I am an adolescent math education major with special education in the school's 4 + 1 program. I will say it does become challenging trying to juggle my undergraduate and graduate classes, however, swimming helps me stay on top of my school work and schedule by keeping me accountable. I am better at time management and there are plenty of resources the team provides to help with academics so I always know if I need anything there are people to help.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience?
I loved my experience as a MSMC swimmer and wish this year could last forever because I know I am going to miss it so much.
Interested in becoming a Knight?
fill out our recruiting questionnaire:
Email Us
Head Coach Chris Mance: @christopher.mance@msmc.edu
Assistant Coach Emily Gursky: @emily.gursky@msmc.edu
Assistant Coach Ed Domanico: edward.domanico@msmc.edu