Scott Thacker was named head swimming coach at Roanoke College in November of 2016.

Thacker comes to Salem after serving as the Director of Competitive Swimming for the Shenandoah Marlins Aquatic Club in Waynesboro, Va. There he was involved in all facets of the Marlins program which included training swimmers, developing training programs while organizing each teams travel and competition schedule. Seven swimmers achieved YMCA National qualifying times, with two earning top-16 finishes under Thacker's tutelage. One swimmer achieved USA Winter Junior National Qualifying standard, and three athletes achieved NCSA qualifying standards.

"It is with great humility and excitement that I accept the head men's and women's swimming coaching position at Roanoke College," said Thacker. "I would like to thank Roanoke College athletics, the search committee and Scott Allison for this incredible opportunity to become a part of Roanoke College's coaching staff and community. I am thrilled to not only have the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level, but to also embark on the challenge to start and build a complete men's and women's swimming program. Roanoke College's men's and women's swimming will embrace the overall mission of Roanoke College. We will hold the responsibility of representing Roanoke College, our community and our sport in high regard both in and out of the water."

Thacker's coaching career began shortly after his participation in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in July of 2012. A few weeks after assuming the Associate Director of Competitive Swimming position for the Greater Richmond YMCA Tritons, Thacker was promoted to Director of Competitive Swimming. Thacker led the Tritons to over 125 team records, achieving the highest placing at the Upper Southeast YMCA Regional Championship, qualified six swimmers for YMCA Nationals and three athletes for the 2013 NCSA Junior National Championships, and coached one swimmer to YMCA All-American status.

In the fall of 2013 Thacker became the Associate Director of Competitive Swimming for the Lynchburg YMCA Piranha's under long-time coach TJ Liston. During his time at with the Piranha's Thacker coached all levels of the program, from first time swimmers all the way through to the National Team. As head age group coach, Thacker coached swimmers to team records, top 3 Age Group Sectional finishes and Virginia Swimmer All-State statuses. Thacker also sits on the Virginia Swimming Age Group committee and is an ASCA level 3 certified coach.

Over the course of Thacker's coaching career the training practices and methodologies have produced 16 YMCA All-Americans, 14 YMCA National qualifiers, six NCSA Junior National qualifiers, six Futures Championships qualifiers, two YMCA National top-16 finishers, a Virginia High School State Champion and a USA Swimming Junior National Qualifier.

"I'm pleased to have Scott lead our program," said Allison. "His intercollegiate swimming pedigree is top-notch. In addition, his positive approach to the challenges we face as we build Roanoke College Swimming will serve our student-athletes well." 

Prior to coaching, Thacker was a 17 year veteran of competitive swimming.  Thacker was the 2005 VHSL state champion in the 100 breaststroke, a three time YMCA national champion, has held multiple Virginia Swimming state records, and was a four year member of the Florida State University Men's swim team.

While at Florida State, Thacker was a member of the Seminole men's first ever ACC team title, securing top eight finishes in both the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. Thacker went on to compete at the NCAA Championships in 2009. Thacker was a member of multiple FSU team relay records, and was the 2010 ACC Champion in the 100 breaststroke. Thacker's swimming career culminated with his participation in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials where he competed in the 100 breaststroke.

Allison announced in September the addition of men's and women's swimming to Roanoke's NCAA sponsored sports. Roanoke, which now has 21 athletic programs, will begin competition in 2017-18. The two programs will swim at the Salem YMCA which is located on Roanoke's Elizabeth Campus. The YMCA features an eight lane, 25-yard pool that includes a scoreboard and accommodations for fans, officials and timers.