Brandon Ress has been hired as an assistant coach for the Roanoke College Men’s and Women’s Swimming programs, which will debut this winter.

Ress will assist head coach Scott Thacker in all facets of the swimming program, including day-to-day operations, recruiting and team academics. He will focus his work with the Maroon distance swimmers.

Ress comes to Salem after a standout career at Towson University, where he was a four-year member of the team and served as team captain during his senior season. Ress was named to the 2017 All-Colonial Athletic Association Team as part of the Tigers’ 400 & 800 Freestyle Relay teams.

“I am thrilled to welcome Brandon to our Roanoke College family,” said Thacker. “He brings knowledge and enthusiasm that will be vital in building the foundation of our men’s and women’s programs.”

A standout in the classroom, Ress was a member of the CAA All-Academic Team and a seven-time Dean’s List honoree while majoring in exercise science and graduating with honors in May of 2017.

“It is with great excitement I accept the assistant coaching position at Roanoke College,” said Ress. “I would like to thank Scott Thacker, (RC AD)Scott Allison, and the rest of the Roanoke College athletics team for giving me this opportunity. I’m honored to be able to start my career in college coaching with a team beginning their own journey. I hope to bring passion and enthusiasm to this program while upholding the goals and mission of Roanoke College.”

Roanoke announced in September the addition of men’s and women’s swimming to RC’s NCAA sponsored sports. Roanoke, which now has 21 athletic programs, will begin competition in 2017-18.

The two programs will swim at the Salem YMCA, which is located on Roanoke’s Elizabeth Campus. The YMCA features an eight lane, 25-yard pool that includes a scoreboard and accommodations for fans, officials and timers.