Kalamazoo College

Kathy Milliken
Head Coach

Kathy Milliken completed her eighth season as head men’s and women’s swimming coach in 2010-11. Millikin led the women's team to a third-place finish in the MIAA in seven of the last eight seasons, and have had swimmers qualify for the NCAA III Women's National Championships in seven of the eight seasons. The women's team finished 33rd at the 2008-09 NCAA III Championships. In 2009-10, Coach Milliken was selected as the NCAA Division III Men's Coach of the Year.

The 2010-11 women's team finished 44th in the country with two honorable mention All-American performances.

The 2007-08 team set three varsity records and won three events at the MIAA Championships. One swimmer competed at the NCAA III Championships and earned honorable mention All-American honors.

The 2006-07 women's team broke eight varsity records, set one MIAA record and won three events at the MIAA Championships. One swimmer competed at the NCAA III Championships and earned All-American status.

In 2003-04, Milliken's first season with the Hornets, the women's team broke eight school records and won three events at the MIAA Championships. Three members of the team earned All-MIAA honors. Milliken also coached the first Hornet woman to qualify for the NCAA III Championships since 1999. Over 95 percent of the team had lifetime best swims.

In addition to her coaching duties, Milliken is a faculty member in the department of physical education. She also supervises the aquatic facility and teaches activity and academic classes.

Milliken came to Kalamazoo College from Denison University (Ohio) where she served as an assistant swim coach for both the men’s and women’s teams since 2000. Milliken helped lead Denison’s women’s team to an NCAA III National Championship in 2001, a runner-up finish in 2002, and a fourth place finish in 2003. Denison’s men’s team finished fifth in the nation in 2001 and 2003, and seventh in 2002.

Milliken graduated from Denison in 1999 with a degree in communication and history. She was a four-year letterwinner in swimming and served as team captain in 1998-99. She swam to seven NCAA III All-America performances and recorded pool, school, and conference records during her senior season.

Milliken completed a master's degree in physical education at Western Michigan University in 2006.

Milliken's Record at Kalamazoo
Women's Swimming/Diving 
Year    Overall  MIAA  Place
2010-11    5-4    4-2   3rd
2009-10    4-4    4-2   3rd
2008-09    4-4    4-2   3rd
2007-08    4-4    4-2   3rd
2006-07    4-3    4-2   3rd
2005-06    3-6    3-3   4th
2004-05    5-3    4-1   3rd
2003-04    2-5    2-4   3rd

Totals    31-33  29-18   

The league meet determines final
season standings.

Overall Winning Percentage: .484
MIAA Winning Percentage: .617
MIAA Championships: 0
NCAA Championship Appearances: 7
Best NCAA Finish: 33rd (2009)

Kurt Niemeier
Assistant Coach

Kurt Niemeier joined Kalamazoo College as the assistant men’s and women’s swim coach on July 1, 2011.

Niemeier came to Kalamazoo College from Monmouth (Ill.) College where he served as the head men’s and women’s swim coach and director of aquatics from 2009-11. Prior to taking over as head swim coach in 2009, Niemeier was the interim assistant coach in 2008-09 and volunteer head water polo coach in 2008. During his three years with the Monmouth swim program, Niemeier coached 11 conference champion swimmers and saw his teams break over 30 school records.

In addition to his coaching experience at Monmouth, Niemeier has worked various camps, served as assistant swim coach for Tinley Park G.ILL.S (Great Illinois Swimmers), and worked as a swim instructor/lifeguard at Crestwood (Ill.) Recreation Center.

Niemeier graduated from Monmouth College in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. As a swimmer at Monmouth, Niemeier won Midwest Conference titles in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles in 2007. He successfully defended his title in the 50 freestyle in 2008 and was on the winning 200 medley relay team that year as well. Niemeier is currently working towards a master’s degree in exercise science at Western Michigan University.

Niemeier is a member of the ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) and is a Certified Pool Operator through the National Swimming Pool Foundation.

Niemeier is single and resides in Kalamazoo.