SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University Athletic Department announced that
Mike Simpson would be the Interim Head Swim Coach for the upcoming season and that
JT Broome will assist the Valkyries swim program.
"We're excited to welcome Mike as the interim head coach of our swim programs," Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics
Jenn Bell said. "He brings valuable experience from working with several high level swim programs throughout his career. Mike has helped develop swimmers at a high level, and we are confident that he will do the same at Converse. He has an incredible ability to develop young people into champions in the pool, in the classroom, and in life."
This will be Simpson's second season helping out with the Valkyries swim programs. Last season, he was volunteer assistant for Converse and helped the men's team to a runner-up finish at the Conference Carolinas Championships, while the women's team posted a top-five finish at the Championships.
Prior to his time in Spartanburg, Simpson was an assistant coach with the Auburn University Swimming and Diving Program from 2021-2025. Simpson arrived at Auburn following a three years stint at the University of South Carolina.
Simpson was the head coach at Gardner-Webb and built both the men's and women's programs from the ground up. In 19 years, he coached 96 all-conference performers with the women climbing as high as 14
th nationally and the men as high as 30
th during his tenure.
"So excited to have JT join us," Simpson said. "He has so much to offer our team and the school community. We could not have found a better fit for this season of transition."
Broome is originally from Greer, S.C., and swam the past four seasons at the University of Kentucky. Broome finished ninth all-time in the Kentucky record book for the 200 breast stroke. The Palmetto State native was also a two-time SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll member, a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team member and an SEC First Year Academic Honor Roll member.
Last season, Broome ranked 14
th on the University of Kentucky Swim team. At the SEC Championships he finished 29
th in the 100 breast event and finished with a personal best time of 53.68 seconds. Broome placed 30
th in the 200 breast event and 27
th in the 200 IM event at the Championship meet.
For more information on the Converse University Swim Team, log onto
govalkyries.com today.
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