Adams State University

Adams State University Athletic Director Katelyn Smith has announced hiring a long-time San Luis Valley swim coach Melinda Hunzeker to lead the Grizzly swim team effective Dec. 13, 2021. Hunzeker joins the Grizzlies after the resignation of Head Coach Eddie Ortiz earlier this season.
 
Hunzeker is none too new to the Grizzly swimming program as she served as the assistant swim coach for the Grizzlies from August 2009 until May 2015. During her tenure, she helped run practices and helped recruit new swimmers, in addition to running the pool facilities inside Plachy Hall.
 
“We are so excited to bring Melissa on as our next Head Coach to lead our Swim program,” said Smith. “Her passion and energy for the sport and the program will be essential to moving it forward and in the right direction. “
 
She then became the head swimming coach for the high school swimming program sponsored by the Colorado High School Activates Association. The program was housed at Sierra Grande and Sargent High Schools. Since there was only one swim program in the entire SLV, Hunzeker was the head coach for 20-30 girls across the Valley. She wrote all the workouts for swimmers ranging in skill level from beginners to advanced.
 
During that time, Hunzeker was also the head coach of a club swimming team, Ski Hi Aquatics. She manages and coordinates a team of 75 swimmers from ages 5-18.
 
Since 2010, Hunzeker has been the swimming lessons coordinator and pool manager at Splashland in Alamosa, where she manages 6-20 employees.
 
Hunzeker will take over the Grizzlies, who are next scheduled to compete on Saturday, January 15, with two duals at Colorado School of Mines. Then, they will compete at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships on Feb. 9-Feb. 12 at the El Pomar Natatorium in Grand Junction, Colo.

Hunzeker obtained her degree in floral design from the Floral Design Institute in Portland, Ore., and worked as a wedding florist. She has two children, Graham and Grayson.