Seahawk Spotlight: Stacie Boyer
Q&A:
Name: Stacie Boyer
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2008
Events: 100 Back, 100 Fly, 50 Free
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Education, Masters in Education
Profession: Elementary School Assistant Principal
Current residence: Durham, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Conference championships each year, especially when the women and men both won in the same year!
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I feel that being part of the program instilled a work ethic that has carried over into different events in my life from work to having kids of my own. When things get hard, I often think “hmm… would I rather be doing 10 400IMs right now? or 12×200’s butterfly? Ha! Basically, hard work pays off but it doesn’t happen overnight. You have to stick to it and remain committed to the work.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I married another UNCW teammate (Eric Boyer), taught math for 10 years and then transitioned into school administration. Somewhere in there I got my masters degree, had a couple of kids (they are currently 6 and 4) and just recently moved into a new house in Durham. We enjoy home projects, exercising and hanging out with family!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
100% the Chick-fil-a at Hawk’s Nest (except when I ran out of money in my account which happened often), I also loved living at Hillsdale with a variety of amazing swimmers, Level 5 🙂
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Whenever Coach would blow into the giant shell! Not really a cheer but it pumped me up more than anything!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
When you graduate, keep in touch with your teammates and put dates on the calendar to visit one another. Make it a priority. These special teammates and I have shared wedding joys, births of (many) babies and losses of dear friends or family members. During each time of joy or sadness, this team rallies just as we did at meets and it really shows the powerful bond that is built when sharing 4 years of our lives together. You won’t regret investing time in your teammates post swimming!
We Need Your Help!
In 1979 when Coach Allen added diving to the swimming program a trampoline was put on the pool deck to help divers get better quicker. In October 2019 after nearly 40 years in use that same trampoline was no longer usable. The program started fundraising for a new trampoline at that point until the pandemic hit and all projects were put on hold. We now need your support to prepare the program for its next phase by helping us reach our goal of getting a new trampoline. We’re focused on quality over anything else in our program and in our equipment. Your donation will benefit many student athletes in the future of this program.
Seahawk Spotlight: Mary Beth Mills Moore
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 1990
Events: 1 and 3 meter diving
Degree: Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees in Special Education, both from UNCW: 1990 and 1992
Profession: Special Education Teacher- 28 years
Current residence: Wilmington, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Oh gosh…there are so many, I truly can’t pick just one. Really, anytime we were all together, whether it was traveling to meets, cheering on each other, or parties at the house on McMillian Ave! One memory I will never forget is our pre-meet pep talks from Coach Allen and then walking out onto the deck cheering with the cow bell. It was the best feeling!
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being a UNCW diver taught me how to set goals and persevere. I wanted to have my name on that record board and win medals at CAA Championships. I can truly say I worked my hardest at every practice. I was willing to do anything it took to reach my goals. 25 years later, I was able to sit in the stands, watching my daughter train, and look up to see my records that were still there.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I never left Wilmington! I met Brad in grad school at UNCW and we have been married for 26 years. Together, we have two children, Sara who is 24 and Matthew who is 20. Our family spent years and years at pools and soccer fields all over the east coast. I continue to teach Elementary Special Education and still love it.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Again, there are so many but definitely PTs to eat, and dancing and listening to a good band at the Mad Monk. I also loved Red Dogs at Wrightsville Beach.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Of course, it has to be Coach’s saying, “IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A SEAHAWK!”
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Build lasting relationships and cherish your teammates and coaches. They will become your second family. Make memories together every day…I promise you, they will last a lifetime.
An update from the deck
Alumni, Family and Friends,
I am very excited to announce that WE’VE GONE LIVE!! The new alumni and supporters website is up and running. A great big Seahawk Thank you to Michael Quigley for working so diligently and tirelessly on the inception and implementation of the website over the last few weeks. Please take the time to go and visit: https://www.uncwswimdive.org/ and take a look around. This is a great avenue for the Seahawk family to stay updated and connected. Soon we are going to add a tab where Swim and Dive apparel for everyone to be able to preorder and wear some new gear and support the team. And yes we are bringing back classic designs from the past!
Progress has also been made on the fundraising side. With your help, we have reached our fundraising goals for both the championship banners and new starting block projects. Thanks to the current student athletes’ parents organization for raising $ 5,000 to help fund for eight brand new starting blocks. Delivery expected before Christmas! What a perfect Christmas gift for our student athletes!
In a continued effort to raise the competitiveness of our team, we will prioritize projects with immediate quantifiable effects on performance. At this time, we are focusing on purchasing a brand new TRAMPOLINE. In 1979 when Coach Dave Allen added diving to the swimming program, a trampoline was put on the pool deck to help divers get better, faster. In October 2019 after nearly 40 years in use that same trampoline was no longer usable. The program started fundraising for a new trampoline at that point until the pandemic hit and all projects were put on hold. We now need your support to prepare the program for its next phase by helping us reach our goal of getting a new trampoline. We’re focused on quality in our program, our equipment should reflect that. With your help the trampoline will benefit many student athletes for years to come. Please click the link below to watch and listen to a message from our diving coach Beau, our divers, and coach Bobby for more details on the project.
https://www.uncwswimdive.org/support/
I hope that you can help support our goal to have the funds for our new trampoline by Christmas. To make this happen for our divers and for our TEAM, we need to raise a total of $7,900. I know our alumni and supporters can help us achieve this goal and equip our divers with the equipment they need for success.
I am truly humbled to see the progress that we have accomplished together in such a short time! I am excited to see what the future holds. Thank you for your support and I look forward to working together for our beloved program.
As always… “It’s a Great day to be a Seahawk!”
Bobby Guntoro
Head Coach
UNCW SWIMMING & DIVING
guntorob@uncw.edu | 9198157482
Seahawk Spotlight: Leigh Tysinger Abraham
Name: Leigh Tysinger Abraham
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 1999
Two-Year UNCW Women’s Swim Coach and One-Year Assistant Student Coach
Events: 200, 500, 1650 Freestyle
Degree: Environmental Science
Profession: Mom (former high school science teacher and swim coach)
Current residence: Greensboro
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
My favorite memory is winning the CAA championship in 1998. It was the first time the women had won the championship. I transferred in from NC State and did not know really anything about the program except my best friend, Cameron Post Smith went there. I literally went to the first swimming meeting and met Coach Allen. It was one of the best decisions of my life.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I was on the verge of quitting swimming and when I transferred in from NC State. Swimming felt fun again and I met so many good friends. Coach Allen became a big part of my life and like a father figure to me. He then called me after a few years (finished grad school at UNC and was a high school science teacher and swim coach) and asked me to be the women’s assistant coach. It was such an honor and I enjoyed this time of my life so much. UNCW is such a wonderful place and I thank God every day I “stumbled” upon it. I would do it all over again if I could!
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I was a high school science teacher and now I am a mom of three. I am very busy with them and I enjoy running and playing tennis. Occasionally, I will hop in the pool and swim a few laps!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
The beach!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Oh gosh – I can’t remember exactly. But I loved how loud we would get when we came out of our huddle. And my favorite meet of all time was against ECU. I never understood the hype until I walked into their pool for the first time! Of course we won both our dual meets against them and destroyed them at CAAs (especially in 1999).
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
UNCW swimmers – cherish the time you have at school and with friends. Enjoy each moment even if it is a very hard practice or a tough class. It goes quick! And I will say it again, I would do it all over in a heartbeat! The late nights studying and the hard practices make you stronger. Not many people have the privilege to swim and compete for their college!
Seahawk Spotlight: Matt Byrd
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2014
Events: 100/200 Back
Degree: Management Information Systems
Profession: Head Age Group Coach, Austin Swim Club
Current residence: Austin, TX
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
The day the school announced they wouldn’t be cutting our program or any of the other programs that were recommended to be cut. We spent 2 weeks scrapping and fighting for the team to stay and every single second of it was worth the final outcome.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being a part of the program Coach Allen built is the reason I became a coach, and how I want to coach the kids I work with today. I think back to my time on deck at UNCW almost daily and use the wisdom and lessons I learned from Coach Allen and all of my teammates, and use that to coach the kids at Austin Swim Club.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I never left the pool deck! I’ve been coaching since I graduated and have enjoyed it every step of the way. I spent 4 years in Maryland and DC coaching with two different clubs while also getting my Masters at Georgetown in Sports Management. I took a year off coaching while finishing grad school to also work at the NFLPA, but after graduating my heart brought me back to the pool deck and this great opportunity in Austin.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Islands and Jerry Allens were two of my favorite places to eat and drink.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
ITS A GREAT DAY TO BE A SEAHAWK!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
You are a part of a special team with a special alumni group who want you to succeed in and out of the pool. We want to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us and ask questions!!
Seahawk Spotlight: Brian Allen
Name: Brian Allen
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2004
Events: 100 & 200 Backstroke
Degree:
Physical Education, Exercise Science
Physical Education, Teacher Certification
Masters in Elementary Education
Masters in School Administration
Profession: Elementary School Principal
Current residence: Wilmington, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
I have fond memories of my time as a swimmer and growing up on the pool deck as a kid. My temporary nursery (pack and play) was actually in my dad’s office when I was young while mom and dad taught swim lessons during the summer. I loved being on the deck spending time with current and former swimmers from the day I could make it down the steps on my own. Going down to the pump room (dungeon) was always fun too. Matthew, Stephanie and I were following at our own pace because dad was always on the move. My Seahawk Family is spread across the decades. From games of quarters with alum, to flip cup with teammates, my memories continue to fill me with laughter and remind me of good times. A memory I will always remember is hugging my dad after we won conference championships in 2003.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
It has made me a better person and a better leader. Watching my dad in action all those years has helped me in my approach as a principal. Building relationships and gaining trust have allowed me to be successful in my profession and personal life. I think we can all agree that approval from Coach Dave Allen went a long way.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I am married to my lovely wife, Crissie. She is also in Education in her role as an Instructional Coach. She is also working towards her Masters in School Administration. We have a sweet pup named Airlie and a sweet kitty named Hazel. I was a 3rd and 4th grade teacher for 4 years, Assistant Principal for 3 years and am currently in my 3rd year as Principal. Some of you that know me well are just as shocked as I am at times that I am in charge of over 630 students and 50 faculty members. If I’m not at school we are generally at the beach or hanging with friends and family.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
The Cardinal House! That house was in the swim and dive family from the time I was 12 or 13 until I was out of school. Great times were had there…you know what I mean! And of course, The Sand Bar and Red Dogs!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Mu Phi Sigma (I don’t think that’s how it’s spelled, but I sure do remember the swimmers being passionate about it so I wrote it all over my papers in grade school) and more COWBELL!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy your time while you’re there…it will be over in a blink, but the good times will carry with you forever.
It’s always a great day to be a Seahawk!
Target Market & Social Media
Here at UNCW, we use three main platforms of social media, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. We have found that a lot of club coaches are active on Twitter, they keep up with what we are doing and use that as a way to learn about our program. Facebook is really good for keeping up with alumni, we post there to keep them engaged, up to date, and included in what we are doing. Instagram is mainly geared towards our recruits, we show them where we are located, who we are as a staff, and what our day to day environment looks like. All three platforms are critical for the success of our program.
These platforms offer different levels of engagement, we are able to showcase UNCW in different ways to a variety of target audiences. Knowing who you are reaching and understanding the markets on every platform you use helps you make a plan to succeed. Twitter tends to be the lowest on the engagement side of things for us. We might not get the most interaction there but it’s still important for us to post because people are following our program and we want to give them content to follow, even if it’s just a quick update. Facebook is somewhere in the middle. We gear a lot of our content towards alumni and internationals here. It’s important to keep in mind that parents of recruits are probably active on Facebook as well. We keep facebook posts regular and make sure to post at times when our audience is most engaging. Instagram slides in at number one for top engagement for us. We are very active here and direct our content to the recruiting class we are focusing on at the present time. We want to give them regular content to connect with us and make sure we are keeping their attention on our program.
Team culture is a hot topic in athletics right now and social media can aid in expressing your program’s culture. I truly believe what recruits see has a stronger influence than what you say. It’s important for us to share the day to day activities so they can get a feel for our program. I want them to know who our staff is and see what their personalities are on deck. Our current team getting after it in practice, excelling, and enjoying the time on deck matters too, those are their future teammates. We also have a bridge program here at UNCW that directly connects our alumni to our current graduating class and gives our seniors a welcoming group to be a part of. All of these collective pieces are a reflection of our program and how we work together. I want to share that with recruits, our alumni, and everyone following us.
We use Social Media to build our brand identity. Consistency is really important for me, I’m a really big planner. I have every practice that I’ve written over the last seven years, just tell me the date. How you want to be seen is crucial for what you share on social media. Pick three or four things you want people to know about your plan and stay focused on those things. Don’t go all over the place with your content. For us, we want people to know what UNCW is and where we are located. Right now, we want to showcase Wilmington as a whole, the academic side, the athletic side, and then introduce the swimming side. We are in a beautiful southern charm beach town. We will then move into what our athletes are accomplishing by showing results, showing what we are doing and what we are producing.
When it comes to recruiting, social media really helps spread the word about our program. If you have a good product and people don’t know you have a good product, it will take you longer to sell the product. Using social media helps you to introduce your product in the beginning, its seeing things, watching things is more beneficial in recruiting. You know before you start engagement. Using social media effectively really gives you that edge that sets you apart from others.
An important piece in social media is representing your sponsors well. When you enter into a sponsorship, your responsibility is to be their marketer. Arena is our sponsor and we are very proud to represent them. Arena helps us a lot, I work with them and give back by great representation from our program. I mention them on social media, I tag them, I thank them, I post their logo and I give back. I’m very particular about representing Arena and Adidas. Good branding is a reflection of a commitment, it’s another way of teaching athletes to follow through. It starts with the coaches, you push content on social media, it’s your responsibility to push content that represents your sponsor in entirety.
The frequency that you post content matters too. We post different amounts on each of our platforms. Facebook we don’t post as regularly, we shoot for a few days a week, we watch analytics and post accordingly. Instagram we spend time learning from which post receives the most clicks, most likes, most engagement. We do one to two posts per day. For our stories we aim to post somewhere between three to six posts per day. We want to consistently post and engage with our followers but we also don’t want to post too much or too little. You have to find that sweet spot of engagement for your social media and continue with it each day.
My biggest recommendation for teams using social media is to have a plan on what you are trying to markert, every team has different goals. If you’re a club team and want to grow a swim lesson program to increase your feeder program, is that more on a Facebook level or Instagram level? You need to do market study on that first. If you’re a club that has the edge with your elite club level swimmers, you want to showcase that. You can’t recruit from other clubs but you can market yourself. As a college coach, you need to make sure that club coaches like what you are running. They need to feel comfortable so that you become a good recommendation. Twitter is big for that, club coaches are on active Twitter. Facebook is big for us with our alumni. Need funding? No engagement from alumni without showing where the money is going, once they feel they are a part of that, they will support you. With sponsorships, you have a plan you can show them and they are more likely to buy into your program. The more people that follow UNCW, the more people are going to talk about UNCW, and that builds our reputation, our brand, our program. Social media is important for program growth, engagement, branding, and success. Make sure you’re taking advantage of it in all the right ways for your program!
Dave Allen Update #3
Aquahawk Family,
I just wanted to provide you with the latest update of Coach Allen’s treatment. Apparently, all our prayers are being heard and have been set in motion based on the report we received from Coach Wednesday he had an MRI performed on his brain to evaluate the multiple lesions observed prior to the radiation treatment he received months ago. The results indicated that almost all of those lesions have been eradicated and the few that remain are showing signs that they are currently dying. This is amazing news and the need for a Plan B with regards to his brain is now unnecessary.
Therefore, the focus will now be on the tumors in his lungs. Early in his treatment, at Duke oncology, he was being treated with a cocktail of both chemo-therapy and immuno-therapy. As you can imagine the chemo (poison) was tough on his body but he soldiered through and now he is only getting immuno-therapy which is much more tolerable. He is mending well (relative to the “coach” we all know), as is his sleep, appetite, strength, and of course his epic optimism is all in check. He expects to be back in the ocean swimming in short order and I’m sure many of us hope the water is freezing.
Bottom-line: his prognosis for what is a really “nasty” illness is looking promising but let’s not take our foot off the gas; keep the prayers going and look out for the next report coming soon. Please feel free to send coach an email to help celebrate his endearing recovery! Best email is Seahawksoars@gmail.com and he really enjoys the communications from y’all.
We will be coordinating an alumni get together and hopefully have the opportunity to greet each other in person once we get clearance for social interaction. Stay tuned and continue the power of positive thinking for coach’s recovery!
Kindest,
Bob Blum
Pete Gratale
Alumni & Soul Mates for Coach