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Andy Boyce enters his fourth year as head swimming and diving coach for Grand Valley State. Boyce joined the staff as an assistant coach in 2004 and then became head coach after the retirement of Dewey Newsome. Newsome is the only other head coach in the program's history.
Laker swimming and diving moved into national prominence during the 2009-2010 season as the Men's team finished fourth at the NCAA Division II National Championship meet in Canton, OH. The women's team placed eighth. Both squads recorded their best ever Nationals finish. At the close of the 2008-2009 season, both of Boyce's teams finished ninth in Houston, TX for their first ever NCAA Division II top ten finish.
Only two swimming records remain on the board since Boyce took over the program. In addition, GVSU's All Time Top Ten performance list is dominated by student-athletes under Boyce's tutelage. Thirty-six student-athletes have been named All-America 172 times. Junior Aaron Beebe will compete in the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Boyce's teams have captured GLIAC titles each of his three years at the helm as well. The men won in 2008 and 2010 and the women won in 2009. Boyce was named GLIAC Men's Coach of the Year in 2008 and Women's Coach of the Year in 2009. The American Swimming Coaches Association has granted Boyce their Award of Excellence each of his three seasons as head coach at GVSU.
Academic success is also a Laker Swimming and Diving hallmark. Forty student-athletes have been named Scholar All-Americans during Boyce's tenure. The Women's team was once again named a Scholar All-America team. Grand Valley women's swimming and diving have won this award every year since GVSU began sponsoring the program.
Prior to arriving at Grand Valley State Boyce served as a graduate assistant at Ball State University from August of 2002 through May of 2004. While at Ball State, Andy earned his Master's degree in Sports Management. He also coached high school and several club teams. He was a four year letter winner for the Cardinals in the pool and a member of the 200 medley and 400 medley relays that established school records during his time in Muncie. Boyce was a two time, all-state selection at Grand Rapids Northview High School where he was named Most Valuable Swimmer three times. Andy was also a three-time, all-area honoree.
