Traci Granger Joins Cal Poly Swim & Dive Coaching Staff
1/11/2023 9:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly swimming and diving head coach Phil Yoshida recently announced the addition of former Mustang swimmer and head coach Traci Granger to his 2022-23 coaching staff.
Granger swam at Cal Poly from 1978-80 and previously served as head coach for the program during the 1984-85 season. Yoshida is thrilled to have her back in San Luis Obispo.
"I'm pumped to have Traci join our staff," Yoshida said. "I have known Traci for years, and in that time, I've had the pleasure to occasionally coach her and also watch her compete. I have a great amount of respect for her competitive drive to win and be the best. Her knowledge, experience and love for swimming fast both for those she coaches and herself will be a welcomed addition to our program. I will be looking for Traci to work with our mid-distance group and help with stroke technique."
Granger, a Tulare, Calif. native, has had a decorated career in and out of the pool, establishing herself as one of the fastest swimmers in the world in her age group. In 1980, she helped Cal Poly capture AIAW Division II national titles in the women's 200 medley and 400 medley relays, and she set multiple school records during her career as a Mustang.
When an opportunity to give back to her alma mater for a second time presented itself, Granger knew she couldn't pass it up.
"It warms my heart to feel like I'm coming back and helping the program that I was a part of so many years ago," she said. "This is a great group of student-athletes, and it's nice to be back and do my part to help the swim community and these athletes reach their potential."
Granger has won multiple U.S. Masters Swimming national titles and owns FINA World Championships in the 50 and 100 butterfly. She holds over a dozen American records across several age groups in the 50 free and 50 and 100 butterfly, has broken several world and Pan-American records over the years and is currently the women's 60-64 age group world record holder in the 50-meter butterfly for short course and long course.
On top of dominating in the water, Granger taught Kinesiology at El Camino College in Torrance for 35 years before retiring at the end of 2021. She also served as an assistant coach for the Warriors' swimming and diving program for 20 years.
Granger currently coaches and teaches swim lessons at Avila Bay Athletic Club and plans on competing in the U.S. Masters Spring National Championships in Irvine in April and FINA World Aquatics Championships in Japan in August.
Granger, a multiple-time Dean's List honoree, graduated from Cal Poly in 1980 with a bachelor's in physical education and earned her master's in education administration with an emphasis in athletic administration from Colorado State in 1984. She also served as the athletic director of women's sports at UCLA from 1986-88.
