Our Mission & History

In the Summer of 2007, AquaHawgs was founded as a summer training program for University of Arkansas swimmers. University of Arkansas Head Swimming Coach Jeff Poppell started the program so that his Arkansas swimmers could train year-round without having to leave campus in the summer. Prior to his arrival at the University of Arkansas, Jeff Poppell led one of America’s dominant USA Swimming programs for 13 years, the Bolles Sharks, which is a force among United States Swimming clubs having developed some of the United States’ and World’s top ranked 18 & Under swimmers. Poppell established training relationships with several international swimming federations which resulted in The Bolles School serving as an international training facility for Olympic athletes of several nations. Poppell led the Bolles Sharks to a pair of national championship titles, and a fifth place overall combined finish at the 2006 USA Swimming Spring National Championships. In addition, he was named one of USA Swimming’s National Team coaches in 2005 after two of his swimmers finished in the Top 10 at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials.

 
In the last five years, Poppell has coached four swimmers ranked top 25 in the world and 17 former or current members of his Bolles Sharks program were in the pool at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. A dozen swimmers under Poppell’s guidance competed, finaled or medaled at major international events including the FINA World Championships, European Championships, Pan American games and Commonwealth games. In addition, he coached athletes to 25 U.S. or International records.

 

AquaHawgs will serve the needs of area swimmers from developmental instruction, to age-group competition, to national and international experience. AquaHawgs offers unparalleled opportunities for Northwest Arkansas swimmers of all ages and training levels. We look forward to exciting developments at the age-group, national, and Olympic levels.