Millikin University Men's Swimming

Coach Ed Pacey comes to Millikin after most recently coaching with top YMCA programs in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey and Cincinnati, Ohio.  His teams were ranked among the top USA Swimming clubs in the nation, attaining USA Swimming Bronze Medal status in three of the past four years.  Coach Pacey has developed multiple YMCA individual and relay national champions and captured a YMCA Men’s Team National Title at the 2022 Long Course Championships.  In 2020, Pacey was recognized by the American Swim Coaches Association as one of the top 50 Age Group Coaches in the country.    Coach Pacey’s prior experiences include over a decade of involvement at all levels of swimming in Illinois and Indiana including Learn to Swim lessons, US Masters, high school and club.  In addition to improving individual and team performance, Coach Pacey has consistently developed swimmers that go on to successful careers at all levels of collegiate swimming.    Coach Pacey is a native of Paxton, Illinois and holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  He is a USA, YMCA and ASCA certified coach with extensive knowledge of athlete development and training of elite swimmers. Coach Pacey is thrilled to move into the college ranks and to work with college level swimmers.

Braden joined the Big Blue staff as the Assistant Mens and Womens Swim Coach in August of 2013. Braden was a three year letter winner in swimming for the Big Blue in 2006-2009. Prior to joining the Millikin staff, Braden coached at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis. He served as the high school assistant coach in 2010 and was the head coach from 2011-2013. In 2011-12, Braden also coached the Franklin Central Middle School team. While at Franklin Central, Bradens teams won two sectional championships. He twice named Sectional Coach of the Year and coached multiple IHSAA state qualifiers. Braden is currently the head coach for the Decatur Swim Club. Braden is a graduate of Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis. Blake Braden joined the Big Blue staff as the Assistant Mens and Womens Swim Coach in August of 2013. Braden was a three year letter winner in swimming for the Big Blue in 2006-2009. Prior to joining the Millikin staff, Braden coached at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis. He served as the high school assistant coach in 2010 and was the head coach from 2011-2013. In 2011-12, Braden also coached the Franklin Central Middle School team. While at Franklin Central, Bradens teams won two sectional championships. He twice named Sectional Coach of the Year and coached multiple IHSAA state qualifiers. Braden is currently the head coach for the Decatur Swim Club. Braden is a graduate of Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis.