St. Joseph’s Academy has named George Newport as its new swim coach. Newport takes over the program, which has won eight consecutive Division I-Class 5A state championships, after Coach Rebecca Gilbert stepped down to spend time with her new baby.
Newport retired from the East Baton Rouge Parish School System in 2019 after 42 years of service. He coached at Lee, Tara, Scotlandville and, most recently, Baton Rouge High School, where he spent 18 years. He was named the Capital City Swim League coach of the year on five separate occasions, and his 1998 Baton Rouge High boys’ team captured the 1998 Division II state championship.
“I have been involved in swimming since I was 12,” Newport said. “I’ve competed and coached at all levels: summer league, high school, age-group USS (AAU) and collegiate. I love coaching and missed being on the deck working with high school athletes. I feel my expertise and experience with all types of swimmers will help keep SJA the premier program in the state.”
Newport is currently working with Crawfish Aquatics, where he is helping to conduct the summer swimming lessons program. He said he is looking forward to beginning his tenure at SJA. “I am impressed with the desire to excel, the commitment to excellence and to doing whatever it takes to win from the swimmers, parents and the administration,” he said. “This program is a well-oiled machine.”
SJA Athletic Director Dorinda Beaumont said Newport brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm to the program. “Rebecca Gilbert will be sorely missed as she begins her new ‘coaching’ job with her first child; however, I envision George along with returning assistant coach Jim Hammatt leading our program to continued success,” Beaumont said. “We are truly blessed and excited for the upcoming season with George at the helm.”
Faculty moderator Nan Murtagh, who served as head coach of the SJA swim team from 1984 until 2009, said she is thrilled to welcome Newport to the program. “George is a master coach and expert in both technique and strategy,” she said. “He understands the Academy’s swimming traditions and program standards and will build upon our many years of excellence. It’s going to be an exciting year.”
Newport attended LSU on a swimming scholarship. He was a four-year letter winner and was twice named the team’s MVP. He brings nearly 50 years of experience to his new position. “My goal is that all girls on the team believe they contribute to the program’s overall excellence,” he said. “I am planning for SJA to continue its dominance in Division I and to have fun.”
Tryouts for the 2019 SJA swim team will be held on Monday, August 5, 3-5 p.m. at the Crawfish Aquatics Indoor Pool. There will be a mandatory parent/swimmer meeting on Wednesday, August 7, at 6 p.m. in the health room of the Activity Center. The first day of swim practice is Tuesday, August 13, 3:30-5 p.m. at the AC Lewis YMCA on Foster Drive.
Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director