Nigro Adds Shaffer and Purdy as Assistant Swim Coaches

WEST POINT, NY - Army West Point Swimming & Diving has announced the addition of both Megan Shaffer and Ryan Purdy to the staff as assistant coaches, as announced today by Director of Swimming & Diving Brandt Nigro.

Shaffer comes to West Point after spending the past two seasons at Colgate University as an assistant swim coach. She also served as the men's recruiting coordinator in her role with the Raiders.

"I'm so honored and blessed to be joining Army Swim and Dive! Brandt has an amazing vision for where he wants the program to go, and the staff is truly dedicated and motivated to work towards that. I'm so excited to be working with them and the swimmers to achieve new accomplishments and keep moving up. Go Army, beat Navy!" - Megan Shaffer

During her tenure in Hamilton, Shaffer helped the Raiders climb the ranks in the Patriot League, with the women's side scoring its most points at the conference meet since 2016 during her first season. The men also had their top score in five campaigns during 2022-23, while the team set 17 new program records during the season.

In 2023-24, Colgate saw its first female swimmer podium at the Patriot League Championships in ten seasons as Lucy Art placed third in the 100 free. The women's side also boasted a 5-3 dual meet record, its first campaign above .500 since 2017-18.

Prior to her stint in Hamilton, Shaffer spent a season on the staff at Franklin and Marshall College as an assistant coach. During her tenure, the Diplomats placed 17th at the men's NCAA Championships, marking the program's highest ever finish at the national level. Between the men and women, 17 program records were set during the season including two conference records.

Shaffer was a four-time All-Landmark selection while serving as a team captain at Susquehanna University. She graduated from Susquehanna in 2020 with a degree in creative writing and publishing & editing.

Ryan Purdy comes to West Point following a successful career in the pool at both the University of Arizona and the University of Iowa.

With the Wildcats, Purdy served as a team captain while posting multiple B-cut times. He also earned CSCAA Scholar All-American honors and was an All-Academic Big Ten selection during his career.

Purdy graduated from the University of Arizona in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Learning and Leadership Innovation with a minor in recreation and sport.

"I want to start by thanking Coach Brandt and the entire staff at Army West Point for taking me into this fast growing program. The incredible athletic and academic opportunities at West Point are second to none and I'm ecstatic to contribute to this team's growth. The uniqueness of this institution is one of a kind and I can't wait to start my career here and learn from the best coaches in the nation!" - Ryan Purdy

The two additions now brings the coaching staff total up to eight, which now gives Army the full allotment of coaches permitted by the NCAA.

Army West Point Athletics

Nigro Adds Shaffer and Purdy as Assistant Swim Coaches

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