Longtime Assistant Coach Jen Betz Retires After 22 Seasons with Kansas Swimming & Diving

LAWRENCE, Kan. – After more than two decades of dedicated service, the Kansas Women's Swimming and Diving program has announced the retirement of longtime assistant coach Jen Betz, who has been a cornerstone of the program for 22 years.

Betz has been a Jayhawk through and through, building her legacy with the program since 1996. Her journey began as a student-athlete, competing in backstroke and freestyle events, before returning in 2003 to join the coaching staff as an assistant under Head Coach Clark Campbell.

Since joining the coaching staff, Betz has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the program, impacting countless student athletes and helping elevate Kansas Swimming & Diving to new heights. Over the past decade, she played a pivotal role in guiding the Jayhawks to seven second-place finishes at the Big 12 Conference Championships, including a program record 754.50 points in 2019. Betz also played a pivotal role in developing elite-level swimmers, including mentoring NCAA All-American Chelsie Miller in 2016.

All her efforts were nationally recognized in 2016 when she was named a finalist for College Swimming's Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

"Coach Jen has truly made an impact on the Jayhawk Swim and Dive program," said Head Coach Clark Campbell. "First as an athlete, then coming back as a coach for the last 22 years, she has seen the program grow to new levels of excellence because of her many contributions. Jen is truly a Jayhawk, and her love of the program has made us better. We are fortunate for all the good she poured into all who were or are part of our team."

Beyond her assistant coaching duties, Betz has excelled in various roles, including team operations, leading recruiting efforts, organizing alumni events, and managing Kansas Swim and Dive camps.

As a former student-athlete herself, Betz has always understood the importance of academic success and personal growth. During her tenure, the program has maintained a team GPA of 3.0 or higher for more than 40 consecutive semesters. This includes a program-best 3.70 GPA in the spring of 2023, which ranked seventh nationally and first among Big 12 programs.

"Being a part of KU Athletics is something that I will always treasure and always be proud of. The traditions, loyalty, and family-like feeling were not only present among KU Swimming and Diving, but throughout the entire Athletic Department and University; that's what drew me here as a student-athlete in 1996," Said Jen Betz. "Coaching at my alma mater has been a dream come true. I've loved building relationships, watching our student athletes grow, and proudly representing the Jayhawks everywhere I went. I'm so grateful to Clark for taking a chance on me 22 years ago, and to everyone who supported me along the way. As the saying goes, Once a Jayhawk, Always a Jayhawk. Rock Chalk Forever!"

Jen and her husband, Tate, reside in Olathe, Kansas, with their three children: Charlie, William, and Ava.

Kansas Athletics and the Jayhawk Swimming & Diving community thank Jen for her extraordinary service and wish her the very best in retirement.

University of Kansas Athletics

Longtime Assistant Coach Jen Betz Retires After 22 Seasons with Kansas Swimming & Diving

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