Life at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown: Campus Beauty, Close‑Knit Community, and Opportunities for Athletes

Get a behind‑the‑scenes look at Coach Kyle Zeller's first year building a D‑II men's & women's swim program at UPJ— from historic PSAC meet wins to the next‑gen recruiting playbook. Watch how he turns a modest pool into a squad where the person comes first. He is keeping student‑athletes front of mind.

What's Covered:

• Building a competitive PSAC program and historic meet qualification
• Recruiting tactics: internal talent, high‑school stars & value propositions
• Marketing & outreach: podcasts, local media, coach networking
• Campus & facility snapshot: 25‑yard pool, Appalachian views, small‑school perks
• Break‑time training, student‑athlete balance & growth roadmap for 2026 / 2027

Some mentions in this, part one of three, episode, #64 of Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide:

• The PSAC is fast – our UPJ swimmers just made history with our first PSAC qualifier, Mark DePalma, who smashed the cut by two seconds.

• Recruiting started late April 2025, but we've already secured the valedictorian of Marion Center High, a 4.8‑GPA swimmer, as our inaugural college recruit.

• We're promoting the men's and women's teams across PA, hitting high‑school meets, club events, and even a Fox 8 interview to spread the word.

• Our facility is a basic six‑lane, 25‑yard pool with stunning Appalachian Mountain views, fresh tiling, and a million‑dollar recent renovation.

• Campus life: 729 acres of woods, ski‑chalet dorms, top engineering and nursing programs, and a close‑knit community where the AD knows every student's name.