Swimming Welcomes Back Kevin Arakaki to Staff

LOUISVILLE -- The University of Louisville swimming and diving team has announced the addition of Kevin Arakaki to the Cardinals' coaching staff according to UofL head coach Arthur Albiero.
Arakaki spent four seasons as the Pittsburgh assistant coach after joining the Panthers' staff in 2021.

"I am thrilled to welcome Kevin back to our program," said Albiero. "He did a phenomenal job creating great relationships when he was our volunteer coach previously. He understands our program culture of excellence and he will be a great addition to our "rock star" coaching staff. After we made the announcement to our team, the exciting responses I have received from team members who worked with Kevin before says it all. It was pure joy and excitement!"

In 2023-24, Arakaki helped the men's team place seventh at the ACC Championships and saw a combined four swimmers qualify for the NCAA Championships and 11 swimmers participate in the Olympic Trials for their respective countries.

During the 2022-23 season, Arakaki helped coach the Panthers to 31 program records, saw 15 student-athletes qualify for the 2023 NCAA championships, with five individuals earning All-American honors, and two divers qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials.

While at Pitt, Arakaki helped coach the swimming team break three school records at the ACC Championships in the women's 200-yard medley relay, women's 50-yard backstroke and men's 50-yard backstroke.

Arakaki saw the men's and women's programs earn national recognition with being selected as the 2021 CSCAA Fall Scholar All-America Team with 10 individual student-athletes earning CSCAA Scholar All-American recognition.

Before his stint at Pitt, Arakaki served as a volunteer coach for the Louisville Cardinals, working with all groups of swimmers with a focus on the sprinters. In addition to the 2021 ACC Men's Championship, he helped the 2019 team have the best combined finish at the NCAA Championships where the women placed fourth and the men fifth, both the highest finishes in program history. He also assisted with Louisville's pro group of swimmers that consisted of three 2021 Olympians and seven former or current International Swimming League athletes.

Arakaki also spent three years as the Cardinal Aquatics national coach, where he coached and developed Olympic Trial Qualifiers, Junior National Qualifiers and Finalists.

Graduating from Western Illinois in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Arakaki then earned his Master's Degree in Sport Psychology from California Southern University in 2019.

Arakaki was a four-year letterwinner for the Leathernecks as a backstroke and individual medley specialist. A two-time team captain, he led the team to its highest place at the Summit League Conference Championships. The native of Nanakuli, Hawaii has the seventh-fastest time in the 100 Back (52.55) in school history.

Arakaki began his coaching career with assisting his local club team Hawaii Swim Club.

University of Louisville Athletics

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