Coaches
Alessio has been professionally coaching for almost 20 years; previously he was a competitive swimmer ranked 4th in Italy in the 200 IM and 100-200 Breaststroke. In the past 4 years as the NASA Head Coach, the team has broken 30+ State records and 2 National records. Under Alessio's tenure, NASA achieved Bronze Level in 2011 and 2012, Silver level in 2013 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, finished in 5th place at the '13 SCY Age Group Champs and in 4th at the '13 JNat's. Previously, as head coach of his former team (Aurelia Nuoto) in Italy, his swimmers achieved medals at regional, national and international level competitions. Along with a frequent interaction with other head coaches, Alessio had the opportunity to work with, and learn from, Cesare Butini, his former coach, head coach of the Italian National Swim Team. With a focus on technique, Alessio can quickly assess a swimmer’s level (beginner to professional athlete) and develop drills sequences to help them advance in any of the competitive strokes. As a certified Physical Ed. teacher in Illinois & Italy, Alessio integrates the fundamental principles of learning through fun and positive attitude in his teaching philosophy. Alessio is looking forward to using his knowledge and passion to help swimmers achieve their full potential.
Kate grew up in Chesterton and swam for Duneland Swim Club and Chesterton High School, where she held various records and specialized in sprint freestyle. She was conference, sectional champion, and All-State in many events each year, helping her team remain undefeated. She was awarded Conference MVP, Team MVP, and Senior Athlete of the Year as a senior and qualified for Senior Nationals beginning in her junior year.
Kate attended the University of South Florida and then Eastern Michigan University on swimming scholarships. Unfortunately, illness forced her to stop swimming for several years. Eventually she returned to swimming as a Master’s swimmer, where she was ranked nationally in the top ten for many years in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle. She earned her bachelor of science degree from the University of Texas, Arlington, in biology and geologyand her Master's in Sport Management from Indiana State University.
Kate began her coaching career while still in high school when she became an assistant coach for Duneland Swim Club. While working on her degree at the University of Texas, she became Head Age Group Coach of the Irving Swimmers in Irving, Texas. Since that time, she returned to Chesterton as an Assistant Swim Coach for both Duneland and Chesterton High School, later becoming a coach for the Chicago Park District, then as Head Coach of Portage Porpoises in Indiana. In addition to coaching, she has over twenty year's of experience as a learn-to-swim instructor. Kate has a son, Calvin, and a dog, Odie.
Giacomo studied and swam at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) where he broke and still holds the 200-400IM and 800 free relay school records. He was able to qualify to the fastest SCY meet ever (NCAA Championships) twice (2013 & 2014). He still owns the Mountain West Conference and Mountain Pacific Conference records in the 400IM.
He won multiple junior national titles in Italy in the 200-400IM and he earned a spot in the Italian Junior National team for the 2008 European Junior Championships and for the Latin Cup in Argentina where he placed second in the 200IM.
Giacomo was also the Student Assistant Coach for the University of Nevada in the summer of 2014 where he oversaw mid-sprint, distance and IM training group facilitating technique and specific skills training regularly. Giacomo also coached in Italy (Como) where he designated and implemented specific training programs for a group of seniors and master swimmers.
He graduated with a degree in Multidisciplinary studies in Business Management & Hospitality.
Joe is enjoying his 6th year as a NASA coach, but has been teaching swimming to people of all ages and abilities for nearly three decades. In addition to coaching NASA developmental swimmers, he also works with adults, teens, and children who are at the beginning level. Joe has also been a regular morning lap swimmer for many years.
In his other professional life, Joe works for a company that services association professionals. In his free time, he enjoys bike riding and checking out the swim facilities wherever he travels.
Phil Andrew, has been swimming, teaching and coaching aquatics for over 25 years. Prior to NASA, he taught and coached at Skokie Country Club, the University of Illinois, Regina Dominican High School, Lawrence Kansas Masters Swimming, New York's Badger Aquatics Club and New York's Westchester Aquatics Club. Phil captained the Loyola Academy Swimming and Water Polo teams receiving All State Team honors and was inducted into LA's Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended the University of Illinois on an athletic scholarship where he was twice Captain of the Illini Swimming Team and helped set relay records that stand today! At Illinois, Phil received the George Huff Academic/Athlete Award, was nominated for the NCAA Valor Award and received a Congressional Award for Heroism and Bravery. Phil continued to play club water polo locally and internationally while attending DePaul University College of Law and practicing law in Chicago. He makes a point of getting in the water wherever his work takes him. His love of the water and water sports is evident in the enthusiasm he brings to working with swimmers of all ages from learn-to-swim, elite competitors to the adult triathlete and open water swimmer. He still competes in US Masters Swimming, open water races, Swim Across America and the occasional triathlon. Phil is committed to each athlete's personal development through a focus on technique and positive feedback.
Katherine has been swimming for most of her life, starting her competitive career at the age of 6 on a Michigan summer league, and making the transition to year-round swimming in Kentucky when she was 9. She joined NASA as a swimmer in 2001, and she has been involved in the club as either a swimmer or a coach ever since. Katherine’s first experience coaching came at New Trier, where she was a captain of the girls’ swim team, giving lessons through the NT Guard program. In college, she took a two-year break from swimming to play other sports, but she was drawn back to the pool and competed for Macalester College during her junior and senior year, representing Mac at the MIAC conference. She joined NASA as a coach soon after finishing her undergraduate degree.
Katherine loves the time she has been able to spend on deck as a coach. Even though she has come and gone over the years, exploring other jobs and locations and even getting an advanced degree or two, she always looks forward to being back on her home deck, sharing her love of the sport and helping our swimmers to grow as both athletes and people.
Brian swam for NASA Wildcat Aquatics from 2001-2013. He was part of NASA’s 2009 13-14 Boys National record setting 4X100M freestyle relay. He attended New Trier high school, where he had the pleasure of being on the state championship winning teams in 2012 and 2013. He went on to study Business at Carnegie Mellon University, where he holds the record in the 100Y Butterfly. He has returned to coach at NASA Wildcat, as it has been a home for him for such a large part of his life
