Coaches & Directors

We are here to support your needs. If your questions are related to workouts, meets, events, goal setting, and other swimming related needs, or anything else related to the swim team, please contact your swimmer’s coach or Coach Paula Caucutt.

Coaching Staff

Al Hudacek

Coach

Al attended St Louis Park High School in Minnesota. He then attended UW~Eau Claire, and Mankato State University (MN) and receiving a BA and MA degree in Physical Education. He is currently teaching Physical Education in the Eau Claire Area School District, and has coached Eau Claire Memorial High Schools Diving Program for 17 years. Al has 23 years of experience coaching age group through NCAA II swimmers and divers! This is his second year as swim coach for the Eau Claire YMCA Marlins! Al lives south of Eau Claire with his wife Gretchen and their three children, Kaija, Elli, and Christian.

Barb Redman

Coach

Barb has a B.S. in Elementary & Special Education from the University of Wisconsin~Eau Claire. Barb is certified as a YMCA and USA Coach, and is currently certified in Lifeguarding, CPR & First Aid. Barb has been a teacher in the Eau Claire Area School District for 18 years in both Special Education and Elementary Education. Barb has more than 20 year of coaching and teaching swimming experience combined. Barb lives in Eau Claire with her husband Chris. They have three children, Samantha, Ben & Emma! Sam & Ben swim on our YMCA Marlins team and Emma will be starting soon! When Barb is not coaching or teaching she enjoys time with family and friends, travels, reads and transports her children to all of their chosen activities!

Steve K Byrd

Coach

Steve has a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin~Eau Claire, and a Master of Arts and Teaching Degree from the National Louis University~Evanston, Ill. Steve is a YMCA and USA Certified Coach, with current certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid & CPR. He is currently licensed in Wisconsin to teach Middle School Math & Elementary Education. Steve has more than 20 years of experience in coaching, teaching swimming and working as a Waterfront Director at various summer camps combined. Steve lives in Chippewa Falls with his wife Jane, their sons Eric, Michael & Austin, and dog Bogey! He enjoys spending time with his family at their cottage on Shell Lake and traveling during his free time!

JoDea L Green

Coach

JoDea has a B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Nebraska~ Lincoln. JoDea is currently certified as a USA and YMCA coach. She is also certified in Lifeguarding, and CPR & First Aid. As a talented swimmer, JoDea competed at the University of Nebraska as a four year letter winner, competed in the Olympic Trials, and also has earned numerous accomplishments as an age group swimmer. JoDea has more than 20 years of coaching experience, and is the current Head Coach of the Memorial High School Women’s Swimming Team. JoDea lives in Eau Claire with her husband Paul! They have four children who all swam for the YMCA Marlins swim team...Christina (husband Joe), Katie (husband Josh), Laura, & Evan. JoDea and Paul spend their free time boating, walking, visiting family, and volunteering at their Church!

Vicki Glassbrenner

Coach

Vicki has a B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education – Learning Disabilities; with an additional emphasis in Math. She is in her13^th year of teaching and currently teaches 4th grade at Crestview Academy. Vicki swam for the Wausau West High School Swimming and Diving Team. Vicki began teaching swimming at age 16, and has taught swimming for the Wausau Parks & Recreation Department as well as the Eau Claire YMCA. She coached with a summer city swim team at Schulemberg pool in Wausau and has been a Marlins Coach for two years! Vicki lives in Eau Claire with her husband Mike! They have three children, Ali, Craig and Molly, who all swim for the Eau Claire YMCA Marlins swim team! When not coaching swimming or teaching, Vicki enjoys coaching soccer, going to the lake, reading and spending time with her family.

Joyce Pankratz

Coach

Joyce has been a Physical Education Teacher in the Eau Claire district for nineteen years. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Stevens Point and her Master’s Degree in Education-Professional Development here at the University of Eau Claire. When she isn’t teaching PE at South Middle school she enjoys running, biking and swimming as leisure time hobbies. Currently she is coaching middle school volleyball, basketball and soccer. In the past years she has actively been involved with the swim team at South and also coached tennis. Joyce has been involved with the “8 and unders” program since her daughter, Grace, showed an interest in competitive swimming. All three of her daughters are now swimming for the Eau Claire YMCA Marlins!

Pat Sogla

Coach

Pat is currently attending the University of Wisconsin~Eau Claire working toward a degree in Athletic Training. He is certified as a YMCA and USA coach, and holds current certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR. Pat is also certified as a Level 2 WIAA Swimming and Diving Official. Pat swam for the YMCA Marlins swim team, North High School, and two years at UW~Eau Claire. At UWEC, Pat was a Letter Winner, and competed as a finalist in the 2007 Conference Meet. Pat has coached for the YMCA Marlin swim team since June, 2004. When he is not coaching Pat enjoys biking, spending time with family and friends, and working out ...swimming and lifting!

Paula Caucutt

Head Coach

Paula has a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Wisconsin~Eau Claire. She is currently certified as a USA and YMCA Coach, as well as certified Level 4 Swimming Coach through the American Swimming Coaches Association. Paula has more than 30 years of teaching swimming and coaching swimming combined. She lives in Eau Claire with her husband Keith. They have two daughters, Krista (husband Joel) & Kaite (husband Jason), who both swam on the YMCA Marlins Swim Team!