By: Griffin Barfield
It’s not only the varsity sports on Clemson’s campus that leave lasting impacts on students. Even before stepping foot on campus as a student, senior Psychology major, Sydney Lavin, wanted collegiate swimming to be a part of her Tiger tenure.
While Clemson does not hold a varsity program for swimming, Lavin knew about Clemson Club Swim – a team that would come to have a lasting impact on her life.
As a freshman looking for things to do outside of class, swim club was the first thing on her mind. From a recreational standpoint, she would be able to continue a passion of hers while connecting with other students on campus.
“I always knew that I wanted to swim during college, but not varsity since it’s so
competitive, so Clemson Club Swim was perfect!” Lavin said. “I remember at Tiger Prowl freshman year, my only goal was to find the club swim table, and I’m so glad I did because it’s seriously been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Immediately, she was plugged in. Not even a year into swimming with the club, Lavin found the opportunity to do more: coaching a local club team in the area.
Now, she serves as the assistant coach for the Foothills Area YMCA’s (FAY) club team, coaching young swimmers in Seneca, South Carolina, where she has been for the last three years.
“I’ve always thought that coaching would be fun, so it’s been the best job for me!” Lavin said. “There’s definitely been a learning curve because I had never coached before, but it’s taught me so many lessons and life skills.”
When she first began with FAY, Lavin taught the youngest group, ranging from 6-10 years old. Now, she teaches the level above, ranging from ages 9-13. She describes the job as a “learning experience.”
Her work off campus has translated to the pool at Clemson’s Fike Recreation Center, where she has coached various practices over the years for the club team. In addition to coaching, Lavin has served as Clemson Club Swim’s treasurer for the past two years, managing the club’s budget and finances.
However, her biggest takeaway from her four years with the team has been the interpersonal skills that she has developed with these positions.
“I have the best group of friends from this club,” Lavin said, “but I’ve also had to learn how to communicate with University staff and others outside of the University on things like space reservations, banking, and equipment rentals for our home meet.”
These skills are important to Lavin, who is graduating this spring but plans to continue her education. She intends on pursuing a graduate degree in psychology with an Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology concentration. She would like to go into I/O psychology consulting with collegiate athletic programs or institutions.
Lavin also hopes to continue to coach if her post-graduate studies allow. Nevertheless, this recreational sport has provided her with a skillset that will translate into the real world, and for Lavin, the field of psychology.
“I love club sports because it’s that perfect middle ground of recreation and competition, another reason why Clemson Club Swim has been so good!” Lavin said. “This position has also been helpful in pursuing a career in consulting because of the communication and analytical skills required for the job.”
As part of undergraduate studies in psychology, Lavin works on a Creative Inquiry team with RHBSSI fellow, Marissa Shuffler, Ph.D., on her Institute-funded grant work developing teams in the context of NCAA sports.
