GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart and William Smith Head Swimming & Diving Coach Elizabeth Bernardy has hired Mike Gleason to serve as an assistant coach for the Statesmen and Herons during the 2024-25 season.
 
"We're fortunate and excited to add Mike to our coaching staff," says Bernardy. "He brings a wealth of coaching experience and knowledge to the Hobart and William Smith programs. I look forward to watching our student-athletes benefit from his expertise!"
 
Over the past decade, Gleason was the head coach for the CAQY swim team out of Canandaigua, New York. He was also the commissioner for the New York State YMCA swimming commission from 2020-23. He led the state commission through the COVID-19 Pandemic and facilitated monthly meetings to ensure the State Championships were on track.
 
In his role with the CAQY swim team, Gleason optimized swim techniques for each high school level swimmer by creating individualized workouts and analyzing stroke techniques to maximize performance in competition. He also spent time advocating for the swim team in the community and with the YMCA board. Gleason has obtained USA Swimming & YMCA Swim Coach certifications.
 
Previously, Gleason was the state representative for the Buffalo-Rochester Area YMCA Swim League from 2019-2023. He was a psychologist representative for Canandaigua Aquatics at the House of Delegates that represented the Athlete Wellness Committee.
 
Gleason graduated from Nazareth College, where he earned a bachelor of arts in music with a concentration in psychology. He went on to obtain a master of science in psychology from Walden University.
 
Gleason will make his collegiate coaching debut when HWS travels to Oneonta, New York, to compete in the Hartwick Relay Meet on Sunday, Oct. 13.