GALESBURG, Ill. -- Jonathan Powers has been named Head Coach of the Knox College Prairie Fire swimming and diving team.

An assistant professor of economics at Knox who swam for four years at Amherst College, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1987., he was captain of the swim team his senior year - the same year that his team placed 25th at the NCAA Div III National Swimming and Diving Championship. Powers also competed in water polo at Amherst, serving as captain his senior year, and in recent years has competed in several triathlons.

A member of the Knox faculty since 2000, Powers earned his doctorate in economics at Northwestern University in 2002. He teaches microeconomics, industrial organization, and game theory and has presented research papers at the American Economic Association, Midwest Economic Association and Western Economic Association annual meetings.

"Jonathan Powers is a powerful role model as a scholar-athlete, and I am pleased that he will now bring his skill and experience to Knox's swimming and diving program," said Chad Eisele, director of athletics at Knox.

In addition to teaching economics at Knox Powers has coached the club water polo team.

When asked about his new role, Powers said excitedly "I am thrilled to have this opportunity for several reasons. Graduating seniors Sarah West and Tony Meyer have provided great leadership. We have a strong, fast cohort of returning swimmers that set several team records this year. And as a professor, I am delighted to be coaching a group of student-athletes that has also had a great record of academic success -- this season nine of the ten eligible members were named to the Midwest Conference All-Academic team-- and that's something to be very proud of."

Release courtesy Knox College