Lucier Steps Down To Make Family Move

MOORHEAD, Minn. (3/19/13)— Julie Lucier has stepped down from her position as Concordia women's swimming and diving head coach in order to move with her family to Montana. Lucier, who was the head coach for the Cobbers for 14 seasons, will remain at the college until the end of the school year before moving to Missoula, Mont.

"Julie has done an incredible job with the swimming and diving program at Concordia," responded Athletic Director Rich Glas. "Her ability to connect with her student/athletes and get the most out of them every year is a credit to her outstanding coaching ability."

Lucier coached six All-American award winners and guided Concordia's only swimming and diving national champion – diver Annie Cullen in 2006. During her tenure she coached multiple All-Conference athletes and consistently produced a team that produced the best time drops at the MIAC Championship Meet among all conference schools.

Lucier was also the leader of a team that earned Scholar All-American honors. Last season the Cobbers had the eighth highest team grade point average of any NCAA Division III school. In addition to the outstanding academic leadership, Lucier helped the team with community service projects. In the past 10 years, Concordia started the season by volunteering for different programs in the area. The Cobbers spent the past seven years helping at the Great Plains Food Bank.

"She was a great role model for her student/athletes," added Glas. "Julie will be greatly missed in the department. The swimming and diving program is losing a very special person."

In the past two years Lucier has also helped other teams and athletes in the department with mental training techniques. Lucier earned her master's degree from North Dakota State, where she did her thesis on mental training. She has also helped various athletes and coaches in the Fargo-Moorhead with mental training techniques.

Glas said that a search for a new women's swimming and diving coach has already started and the department hopes to narrow down the candidate pool in the next several weeks.