Big Mac Swimming

Coaching Staff Bios for the Big Mac Winter Sports Program Book

The 99-00 season marks the start of a new era for Canon-McMillian Swimming and Diving program. Mark Rauterkus was hired as the varsity coach, and he assembled and recruited a new staff, including a new diving coach, Danielle, and two assistants, Shannon and Katie. Warm appreciation from the present staff goes to both, former coach, Julie Rocks, as her efforts helped to re-craft the positions, and the new AD, Dan Pallante.

Head Coach: Mark Rauterkus

Mark is ending a second mini-retirement from day-to-day swim coaching to lead this year's Big Mac team. Mark said, "I'm excited to be here -- and now I'm looking for long-term opportunities in coaching."

Mark began coaching in 1976, starting a NEW summer team in east-suburban Pittsburgh. He and fell in love with the sport as an assistant at Greater Pittsburgh Swim Club. He moved to become the head coach for the Athens (Ohio) Swim Club (3-years), assist the Ohio Univ. Men's team (4-years), and get a BS in Journalism (82). Mark went to Baylor Univ. (Texas) for grad studies in HPER as a teaching assistant/coach. Mark took the Peoria, Illinois team to #2 state finishes in both Age Group, and Senior Championships getting a couple of "spirit awards." Mark coached with Bradley Univ., Bernal's Gators in Mass. (then at Harvard), Evanston (IL), New Trier (IL), and Plum High School. In both seasons at Plum (early 90s), the girls team finished #2 in WPIAL Championships, each year winning 3 events with many All-America honors. Mark's swimmers have set state records in 4 states.

When not coaching, Mark has been a stay-at-home dad (recently), sports advocate and a publisher of cutting-edge sports participation titles, working on more than 100 various titles, including 12 swimming-specific books.

Mark hopes to build a program of excellence that includes activities beyond the pool, including a sports lecture series and many high-tech enrichment experiences for our team and community.

Mark and his family reside in Pittsburgh's South Side. Catherine V. Palmer, Ph.D., is the Director of the Eye and Ear Institute and a teacher/researcher at Pitt. Sons are Erik, 5, and Grant, 2 in Dec. 99.

Diving Coach: Danielle Waters

Danielle grew up in the North Hills, graduated from Hampton High School (92) and was a Hampton diver for four years. Danielle received a BS degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from Ohio University. While at O.U. she was a member of the Division I diving team for four years, was a Mid American Conference meet qualifier three times, a NCAA qualifier, and a team captain.

Danielle attended grad school at the University of Pittsburgh from 1996-1998. While getting her Masters degree she coached the Hampton High School Diving Team (1997-1998).

Danielle got married in August, 1999, and lives in Bridgeville. She is currently a clinical audiologist for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Assistant Coach: Shannon Pickett

Shannon, 22, is presently a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. She has a B.S. degree in Communication Disorders from Central Michigan University. She swam for fourteen years on a YMCA team where she was named MVP for four years and held many team records in various events. She also swam at the college level at Grand Valley State University for two years.

Shannon's coaching experience ranges from beginning swimmers to high school and was a private swim instructor for adults and children. She also coached for the Special Olympics and swam with the Deaf Olympic swim team. Shannon is very excited about the opportunities to work with swimmers this season.

Assistant Coach: Katie Moore

Katie, 22, is a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, pursuing a masters in Audiology. She has a B.S.ED. from the University of Georgia in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is a former high school and intramural college swimmer, having swam competitively for a total of twelve years.

Katie has experience coaching beginning and intermediate swimmers on club teams and in private lessons. Her coaching emphasis is in technique, stroke work, and conditioning. She is looking forward to an exciting and productive swimming season this year.