When you think of the most popular athletic programs at William Paterson University, sports like football, basketball and baseball usually come to mind. Even club hockey often draws attention.
But William Paterson’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs often fly under the radar — except for sophomore swimmer Derek Gutowski, who says the team is the reason he came to Wayne.
“It was local, a good program, a fantastic track record, and it appealed to me as someone who wanted to swim in college,” Gutowski said.
Both programs are in a transition period under first-year head coach Dave Nehls, the former assistant coach at Ramapo College. Nehls replaces longtime head coach Ed Gurka, who retired on June 16 after 49 seasons leading the Pioneers.
Gurka’s departure hit especially close to home for Gutowski.
“He’s the reason I’m here,” Gutowski said. “He was the one who reached out to me, and without Coach Gurka I wouldn’t be stepping foot in Wayne — I’d be in trade school.”
Swimming has been part of Gutowski’s life for as long as he can remember. Raised by parents Kim and Tom, he was introduced to the water early.
“I was 4 years old when I started,” he said. “I started on a lake league team for about five or six years before joining a club team. I did that throughout high school, swam for my high school team and was captain as a senior.”
Like many swimmers of his generation, Gutowski grew up idolizing 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps.
“I grew up watching Michael Phelps,” he said. “They would tape it on the DVR and we’d sit down and watch it.”
Before arriving at William Paterson, Gutowski made his mark at Roxbury High School and in club competition. As a junior, he qualified for Long Course Golds at Rutgers University — the Junior Olympics of club swimming.
The program received a major boost in October, when the university announced plans for a new Recreation and Health Sciences Center that will include a state-of-the-art, 25-yard natatorium with diving boards. The facility, part of a $40 million expansion, will connect to the Sports & Recreation Center and will also house the kinesiology department and a wellness center. It is expected to be completed in June 2027.
“I’m excited and looking forward to it,” Gutowski said. “It’s supposed to be a high-quality facility and will give us the level of training we need.”
Balancing academics and athletics can be challenging, but Gutowski says the routine works for him.
“I go home on the weekends to see my friends, but I also make time for homework,” he said. “After practice I hang out with friends on campus. I like going to sporting events, campus activities and being involved with WP’s student-run radio station.”
At 5-3, the Pioneers are looking to build momentum heading into 2025. With a month-long break approaching, their focus is on the NJAC Championships, scheduled for Feb. 12-15.
“My overall goal is to place at NJACs and improve myself not only as an athlete, but as an adult, student and teammate,” Gutowski said.
With that focus — and a new era underway for the program — Gutowski remains a motivated athlete with plenty of growth ahead, both in and out of the pool.
