Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff will join the Loyola College coaching staff, head coach Brian Loeffler announced today. Hoff will both attend classes and serve as a volunteer assistant coach for the swimming and diving program beginning this fall. "I am thrilled to have Katie join my staff in the fall,” says Coach Loeffler. “She has a wealth of swimming experience that we will draw from to make our team that much better." Hoff comes to Loyola with a highly impressive resume as an Olympian and World Record holder. Only 19 years of age, Hoff will vie for her second Olympic competition when she competes at the 2008 trials beginning June 29. Among the events she will swim include the 400-meter IM, the 400-meter freestyle and the 200-meter freestyle – all three events in which she is the current American record holder and top seed. She is also the second seed in the 200-meter IM, the 800-meter freestyle and the 200-meter backstroke. In 2007 Hoff set a World Record in the 400 IM and was part of a World-Record setting 800-meter freestyle relay team. She was a triple gold medalist at the 2006 Pan Pacific Games and at both the 2007 and 2005 World Championships and was named the 2005 and 2007 USOC SportsWoman of the Year as well as the USA Swimming Female Athlete of the Year. “I hope to bring some positive outlook and insight to the coaching staff,” said Hoff about her opportunity to coach at Loyola. “I am very excited to just be around the team and help out wherever I am needed.” Hoff’s coaching insight will no doubt come from her swimming experience on the world’s largest stage. In 2004, she was the youngest member of the entire U.S. delegation (15 years, 2 months) to compete at the Olympic Games. Her 2007 World Rankings include a No. 1 ranking in the 200 IM and 400 IM, a No. 3 ranking in the 800 Free, a No. 4 ranking in the 400 Free, a No. 5 ranking in the 200 Free, a No. 7 ranking in the 200 Back and a No. 10 ranking in the 1500 Free. Hoff, who also swims for Baltimore Club team NBAC, is familiar with Loyola College and the Mangione Aquatic Center. ”I really wanted to be able to have a great education while still swimming for my club NBAC,” said Hoff. “Loyola has a great tradition of excellence and I know quite a few people who have attended. I can't wait to attend and start taking classes.”