Illinois State swimming and diving will finish their season in Carbondale, Ill. at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships
During his 28 years at Illinois State, head swimming and diving coach Steve Paska has led his team to success both in the pool and in the classroom.
A 1983 ISU graduate, Paska served as an assistant swim coach for three years prior to taking the head position in 1985.
Under his leadership, Redbird swimmers have established 24-of-24 current school records, claimed six Midwest Independent titles, three National Independent Championships and six Missouri Valley Conference crowns. A dedicated coach to his athletes in the water, Paska is also devoted to helping his swimmers succeed in the classroom. In the spring 2012 semester, the Redbird swimmers and divers compiled a 3.46 cumulative grade-point-average, an all-time team record in swimming and diving history. This GPA placed the Redbirds in a tie for 22nd place on the Division I Scholar All-American Team lsit.
In the 2011-12 season, nine swimmers were named to the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete team.
As a former two-time letterman as a Redbird swimmer, Paska has a special passion for the university. His wife, Julie, was an All-American volleyball player at Illinois State in 1984 and currently serves Redbird student-athletes as an academic advisor.
Steve and Julie have three children: Matthew (23), Dusty (21) and Jill (16). Matthew graduated Illinois State in 2012 and Dusty is a ssenior at Illinois.
