East Carolina University
ACHA M2 • ACCHL Elite
Date: May 13, 2025
Would Recommend
Tags
Despite some of the things you may have read, I hope people don’t rush to judgment based on the words of individuals who may not have shown the commitment, work ethic, or integrity required to thrive in a Division I program. College athletics is tough… mentally, physically, and emotionally. If you're not ready to do hard things, Division I swimming is not for you. Jabs was one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. His impact on me went far beyond the pool. He was a mentor who guided me through both the highs and lows—not just in swimming, but in life. Before I came to ECU, I didn’t have a great relationship with the sport, but that changed with the girls I met and his guidance. His door was always open, whether I needed to about swim, school, or even boy problems… he was always there ready to listen and give advice. When it came to training, yes, he pushed us, but only because he believed in what we were capable of. He never asked more than he thought we could handle, and his expectations came from a place of genuine belief in our potential. Sure, the sport can be exhausting and mentally draining at times and we might not always succeed every time we hit the water…that’s just the reality of being a collegiate swimmer. But even in the thick of it Jabs found ways to make us laugh or even crack a smile. I’m incredibly thankful for everything he did for me and for the amazing teammates who became a sister or life long friend.