BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 California\u00a0State Bakersfield Athletics has hired a new director to lead its swimming and diving program.<\/p>\n
Shane Pelton will\u00a0be joining the university with\u00a0nearly two\u00a0decades of\u00a0coaching experience\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0National Collegiate Athletics Association, which includes 10 years of coaching in the California State University system.<\/p>\n
Watch \u2018After Sunrise\u2019 on KGET+; Click to learn how to get KGET+ on your smart TV devices <\/a><\/p>\n Pelton also served as the head\u00a0assistant\u00a0coach and recruiting coordinator for the university for the 2015-2016 season.<\/p>\n CSUB\u2019s Acting Director of Athletics Sarah Tuohy said with his history\u00a0with\u00a0the university, Pelton\u00a0understands what makes\u00a0CSUB a\u00a0place special and has a genuine passion for Bakersfield.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is deeply committed to connecting this program back to our community, and I am confident he will lead with integrity, energy, and purpose as we move forward,\u201d Tuohy said in a statement on Friday.<\/p>\n In a statement,\u00a0Stanzi\u00a0McGowan, CSUB\u2019s\u00a0associate\u00a0athletic director, said she \u201cfeels confident\u201d that Pelton will help the team \u201cgrow and develop.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs someone who grew up in Bakersfield and understands what this program has meant to our local swim community, this hire is especially meaningful to me,\u201d McGowan said.\u00a0\u201cShane brings the experience, energy, and relationship-centered leadership we were\u00a0seeking, and I am confident he is the right person to lead our program forward. I believe he will build strong connections with our student-athletes, alumni, and the broader Bakersfield community as we work to strengthen the future of CSUB Swimming and Diving.\u201d<\/p>\n