Coach makes splash in interim season
Kollross continues to recruit athletes despite uncertain future at Eau Claire
Matt Hankey
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Sports
"That's critical not only to building the (swimming) culture but to make for a very competitive year," Kollross said.
Senior Emily Viau said Kollross' approach to coaching is oriented to strengthening team cohesiveness.
"He very much wants to build the team and is very into team bonding and just trying to make us the best we can be," she said.
It is difficult for a player to recruit people who may take his or her spot on the team, but Kollross said he is proud that his players have followed through on recruiting.
Kollross said he has a dedication to the sport of swimming and his position at Eau Claire fits perfectly with his enthusiasm.
"It's a continuation of my love and passion for the sport. It's a fit that I'm very comfortable with," he said. "Given the opportunity, it's something I could see myself doing for a long time."
As interim coach, his future is still undecided. Last season, Kollross served as a volunteer assistant to the Eau Claire swimming team, having previously been an assistant coach at Eau Claire Memorial High School and UW-Madison. He got the position after Welcher resigned and because associate head swim coach Art Brandt could not take the position due to other obligations.
"I guess you could say I was in the right place at the right time," he said.
If he isn't re-hired, Kollross said he will return to being a volunteer assistant at Eau Claire or back to coaching at Memorial. He will be involved in coaching in some capacity, he said. However, if he is re-hired, Kollross will have 26 new female recruits to go along with 14 men, losing only eight seniors.
Regardless if Kollross is hired as coach or not, Brandt will return as the associate coach, Kollross said.
"There will be familiarity for the kids whether I'm here or not," he said.
The pinnacle of Kollross' season did not come during a swimming event, despite his overall satisfaction with how his first season went. His highlight of the year came when senior Nick Peterson was named the WIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for swimming and diving.
Senior Emily Viau said Kollross' approach to coaching is oriented to strengthening team cohesiveness.
"He very much wants to build the team and is very into team bonding and just trying to make us the best we can be," she said.
It is difficult for a player to recruit people who may take his or her spot on the team, but Kollross said he is proud that his players have followed through on recruiting.
Kollross said he has a dedication to the sport of swimming and his position at Eau Claire fits perfectly with his enthusiasm.
"It's a continuation of my love and passion for the sport. It's a fit that I'm very comfortable with," he said. "Given the opportunity, it's something I could see myself doing for a long time."
As interim coach, his future is still undecided. Last season, Kollross served as a volunteer assistant to the Eau Claire swimming team, having previously been an assistant coach at Eau Claire Memorial High School and UW-Madison. He got the position after Welcher resigned and because associate head swim coach Art Brandt could not take the position due to other obligations.
"I guess you could say I was in the right place at the right time," he said.
If he isn't re-hired, Kollross said he will return to being a volunteer assistant at Eau Claire or back to coaching at Memorial. He will be involved in coaching in some capacity, he said. However, if he is re-hired, Kollross will have 26 new female recruits to go along with 14 men, losing only eight seniors.
Regardless if Kollross is hired as coach or not, Brandt will return as the associate coach, Kollross said.
"There will be familiarity for the kids whether I'm here or not," he said.
The pinnacle of Kollross' season did not come during a swimming event, despite his overall satisfaction with how his first season went. His highlight of the year came when senior Nick Peterson was named the WIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for swimming and diving.
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