We asked the 2025 World University Championships coaches about the start of their careers and what they are excited about for the meet in Berlin. Learn more about head coach Arthur Albiero and assistant coaches Dan Kalupski, Annie Lazor, John Long, Trevor Maida, and Jake Shrum below. 

How long have you been coaching, and what initially inspired you to pursue coaching as a career?

Arthur Albiero (head coach): I have been coaching for 31 years. Originally, it was not my dream job, and coaching was not on my top 10 professions I thought of pursuing. Now, it is my dream job! I think being named a team captain in my senior year in college opened my mind to the possibility of impacting people in a positive way.

Dan Kalupski (assistant coach): After graduating from college in 2013, I started coaching almost immediately. I spent one year coaching club and have been coaching collegiately ever since. I was inspired to begin collegiate coaching after watching Kris Kubik while working at a college swim camp. Seeing the energy he brought every day and the confidence he was able to instill in his athletes inspired me to chart a similar path. 

Annie Lazor (assistant coach): I’ve been coaching for two years. I accepted my first college coaching position at the University of Florida while I was still a professional swimmer training at Indiana University. I was at the end of my career, had accomplished more than I ever could have imagined, and was ready for the next thing. The most rewarding part of the tail end of my professional career was being able to mentor the women at Indiana in a unique way, since I was in a different phase of life and had a different perspective, but was still training with them daily. That time was transformative for me and made me realize I would really enjoy coaching.

John Long (assistant coach): I’ve been coaching for over 15 years, and while I had many positive experiences as an athlete, it was actually a negative one that pushed me toward a path as a coach. I experienced what it felt like to be under poor leadership, and it made me realize the impact a coach can have, both good and bad. That moment shaped my purpose. I wanted to help build people into the best versions of themselves, while staying innovative with training and technique. Coaching has given me the chance to lead with intention and make a meaningful difference.

Trevor Maida (assistant coach): I’ve been coaching for eight years. My inspiration came from my father, who coached track and cross-country at our high school for over 30 years (and coached me). Watching the impact he had on all his athletes, regardless of performance level, made me want to follow in his footsteps and make a similar positive impact.

Jake Shrum (assistant coach): I’ve been coaching full-time for 15 years. When I had a different full-time job, I always spent my days looking forward to my part-time coaching gigs!

What will be your primary focus going into the meet, either for the athletes or your coaching perspective?

AA: As the head coach, my number one role is to be a great facilitator for all athletes, coaches, and staff. It is also very important to be prepared for anything and provide guidance to the group under all circumstances.

DK: My primary focus going into WUGs is instilling confidence and belief in our Team USA athletes to achieve their highest potential on the international stage. 

AL: My primary focus is simply being available to be whatever any athlete needs me to be for them. I’m happy to help any athlete in any way that improves that athlete’s confidence leading into the meet and throughout.

JL: My focus is on helping our athletes stay grounded and confident. International meets can bring pressure, but our job is to keep the environment steady and fun so they can perform at their best. From a coaching standpoint, I want to make sure our athletes are clear on their plan, prepared to adjust, and fully supported every step of the way.

TM: My main focus is helping athletes perform at their best when it matters most. I’ll be there to guide, support, and position them to succeed under pressure.

JS: Trying to build off a great Summer Nationals meet! We learned a lot from our races in Indianapolis and applied that to our training, so we’re looking forward to seeing that come through in Berlin. It’s a lot of our athletes' first senior international travel meet, so we want to make the most of the opportunity and use it as a springboard into next season and beyond.

What is one thing you hope each athlete gains from this international experience?

AA: Competing internationally and representing Team USA is a special honor. In my experience of being involved with the National Team since 2015, I have seen international meets become a catalyst to a whole new level of thinking, and ultimately, a whole new level of performance. This experience has the opportunity to catapult this group of athletes into opportunities for LA28 and beyond.

DK: I hope each of our athletes gets the opportunity to take a moment and reflect on what an unbelievable privilege it is to don the red, white, and blue, especially those who are doing so for the first time.

AL: I hope they gain a massive community of other athletes from our team and other parts of the world that they can carry with them forever! The people are the best part of these trips.

JL: Perspective. Representing Team USA on a global stage is a huge honor, but it’s also a chance to learn, connect with others, and grow as a person. I hope the athletes walk away with a bigger view of the world and the belief that they belong on this stage.

TM: I hope the athletes gain a true appreciation for what it means to represent the United States. Competing on an international stage is a tremendous honor, and I want them to cherish every moment.

JS: Motivation! Whether it’s just an overall positive experience or affirmation in themselves by making this team, I want all the swimmers to come away motivated to continue taking the next steps in their swim careers.

Can you share one memorable coaching moment from your career that you find impactful, inspiring, or special?

AA: To condense over thirty years of coaching in one single moment is impossible. I can think of the stellar performances at the biggest stages (American records, world records, NCAA individual and relay titles), but I can also think of the moments when an athlete overcame huge challenges to find extraordinary success. At this point of my career, I rejoice when a former swimmer finishes a high-level degree like graduating medical school or earning an MBA, having a baby, or getting married…I love to be a part of their lifelong success stories!

DK: A moment from my coaching career that I find impactful comes from Julia Poole, an athlete at NC State. Julia was fortunate to get the opportunity to swim for five years at NC State due to the COVID-19 waiver. During her fifth year, her mother was diagnosed with cancer, and her health deteriorated quickly. During our conference championships, Julia had to leave before the final night of finals to tend to her mother. Her mother passed the next day. After the passing, Julia could have made the decision not to swim at NCAAs, but she did, knowing her mother would have wanted her to. At the meet, Julia finished her career by breaking 1:00 in the 100 breaststroke for the first time and inspired an entire team to never quit fighting or give up. 

AL: I love every time I get to help and connect with an athlete and help them reach their goals. I love working through anything with an athlete, seeing the wheels turn in their mind, and seeing them figure it out.

JL: Watching Annie Lazor make the Olympic team after the passing of her father was incredibly powerful. To then see her go on to win an Olympic medal alongside Lilly King in the 200 breaststroke was something I’ll never forget. I played a small role in her journey, but witnessing her strength, resilience, and the emotion behind that moment was a reminder of how deep this sport goes. It was bigger than swimming; it was about purpose, legacy, and love.

TM: Winning the NCAA Team Championship this season was unforgettable. Seeing how our team grew through challenges over the year, and being part of that journey, was incredibly inspiring and rewarding.

JS: As a coach, it’s easy to remember a lot of the individual races and successes. Especially with the Olympic Trials last year, seeing our athletes support each other in their accomplishments and help one another get through adversity, you start to see how swimming is impacting them away from the pool and what they’ll take away from their time as a swimmer. That’s always a reminder that will be the lasting impact.

What’s one word your swimmers would use to describe your coaching style?

AA: Partnership.

DK: Intentional.

AL: Relatable, approachable, adaptable!

JL: Intentional. I try to be thoughtful in every decision, whether it’s a training plan, a conversation, or how we build culture. Nothing is random.

TM: I asked some of them directly, and the most common words were detail-oriented, intentional, and personable.

JS: Exacting (in a positive way!).

Just for fun, how many cups of coffee do you drink during a typical championship meet?

AA: Two to three cups a day, depending on the quality of the coffee, and the availability of cream (I prefer a little half and half).

DK: During a typical championship meet, we are looking at one LARGE cold brew before prelims and another one before finals!

AL: Normally just one in the morning, and maybe one at night if I’m hurting.

JL: Let’s just say I stop counting after cup three… in prelims.

TM: Two cups of coffee per prelim session and one White Monster per finals session.

JS: Probably about a cup of coffee and an energy drink per day.