THE FLATS – Georgia Tech swimming and diving head coach Courtney Shealy Hart announced today the addition of Michael Norment to the coaching staff.
Norment joins the Yellow Jackets after founding the Metro Atlanta Aquatic Club (MAAC) in 2013 and compiling an impressive resume in the pool as an eight-time NCAA All-American and a two-time member of the U.S. National Team (1997, ’98).
“We’re extremely excited to have Michael join us at Georgia Tech,” Shealy Hart said. “To be able to add an eight-time NCAA All-American swimmer to our staff, who also has experience professionally and nationally is a great gift. Michael possesses a wealth of experience. His success with the MAAC club team to go along with his ability to develop swimmers will be great additions to our staff. We’re fortunate to have him with us.”
While with the MAAC, Norment coached four swimmers to seven individual NCSA Junior National Titles, with two earning top-eight finishes at the USA Swimming Junior National Championships. In just three years after establishing MAAC, Norment already had three swimmers qualified for the 2016 USA Swimming Olympic Trials. He also helped develop three Georgia High School State Champions and an NCAA All-American.
“I am honored to become part of the Georgia Tech Family,” Norment said. “I’m truly thankful for the opportunity that head coach Courtney Shealy Hart has provided. We have an incredibly talented coaching staff that I’m excited to work with. The team has been enthusiastic and extremely supportive. There’s a great energy here amongst the swimmers, coaches, and entire athletics staff. Atlanta is a diverse, growing and prosperous city and Georgia Tech is well-positioned to help our students capitalize on the opportunities afforded to them.”
Norment continued, “We have a tremendous opportunity to attract athletes from a vast in-state talent pool, and will have the ability to draw on the national and international talent base as well. I’m looking forward to helping this team become a dominant force in the ACC, at the NCAA Championship level and in international competition.”
Prior to coaching, Norment attended the University of Georgia, where he was an SEC Champion in the 100 breaststroke and an eight-time all-American. In 1997, he earned a spot on the USA Swimming National Team, competing in the 1997 Pan-Pacific Championships. He would then qualify for his second international competition, earning a spot on the 1999 U.S. National Team, competing in the 1999 Pan-Pacific Championships.
A Hempstead, N.Y. native, Norment moved to Philadelphia, Pa. during high school to train with famed swim coach James Ellis, head coach of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation (PDR). Under Ellis’ tutelage, Norment went on to win Junior Nationals in 1992 and was selected for the USA Swimming National Junior Team that same year, joining current Georgia Tech head coach Shealy Hart.
Norment resides in Atlanta with his wife, Nay, and their daughter Assata Rose (17) and son, Mozi (13).
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