Hokie Club Payton Brooks was named assistant coach in July 2019. Outside of his coaching responsibilities he oversees fundraising efforts, alumni outreach and the swimming and diving social media accounts.
During 2020-21, Brooks played a hand in an historic season for the Hokies. The Tech men recorded an 11th place finish at the NCAA Championships – the highest finish in school history – combined with the most points scored in school history (135). The Tech women finished 21st, with the second-highest finish in school history and scoring the most points in school history (55). Through these performances, the Hokies earned 15 All-American honors.
While working with Coach Sergio’s mid-distance group, he had the opportunity to work with Youssef Ramadan as he was named ACC Freshman of the Year (2020-21). Ramadan also became the fastest freshman in NCAA history with his performance in the 100 Butterfly (44.32).
Brooks also assists with Pinnacle Racing at Virginia Tech (PRVT). This group hosted professional athletes from around the world preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Six athletes from this group went to compete at the games, with a notable performance from Santo Condorelli winning a silver medal in the 400 Free Relay.
In 2019-20, Brooks assisted both sprint and mid-distances groups for the Hokies.
Prior to joining the Hokies, Brooks took to the head coaching ranks at Alderson Broaddus University for the 2014-15 season. During his time with the Battlers, both the men’s and women’s teams scored the most points in school history as well as their best overall finishes at the conference championship meet. They broke 12 school records on the men’s side and six for the women. At Alderson Broaddus, his duties also included Aquatics Director.
Brooks served as an assistant coach at The Bolles School from 2012-2014 for the Senior High School, Age-Group and Professional Group. He also acted as the Assistant Director of the Bolles Sharks Swim Camp, and was a Residential Staff member for the Bolles School Boarding Program. He and his wife served as Dorm Parents/Residential Staff to the students residing on campus.
Coaching accomplishments as an assistant coach at The Bolles School:
Brooks was a member of the West Virginia University swim team under Sergio Lopez Miro. During his four-year college swimming career, he helped WVU win their first (2007) Big East Championship title in the school’s history. That season also marked the first team in school history to go undefeated (13-0) and finish the year ranked 20th in the country. He specialized in sprint freestyle events and was a five-time All-Big East performer. Also while at WVU, he was on the all-time top 10 list in the 50, 100 and 200 Freestyle, 200 and 400 Medley Relay, and the 200, 400 and 800 Freestyle Relays.
In his fifth year of athletic eligibility, he joined the WVU football team as a wide receiver. He was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year and was part of the Gator Bowl team in 2010. Brooks graduated from West Virginia University with a B.A. in Physical Education and Sport Sciences with a focus in Athletic Coaching.
A native of Hurricane, West Virginia, Brooks is married to the former Madisen Meadows. The Brooks’ have three children: Stone, Meadow and Bo.
During 2020-21, Brooks played a hand in an historic season for the Hokies. The Tech men recorded an 11th place finish at the NCAA Championships – the highest finish in school history – combined with the most points scored in school history (135). The Tech women finished 21st, with the second-highest finish in school history and scoring the most points in school history (55). Through these performances, the Hokies earned 15 All-American honors.
While working with Coach Sergio’s mid-distance group, he had the opportunity to work with Youssef Ramadan as he was named ACC Freshman of the Year (2020-21). Ramadan also became the fastest freshman in NCAA history with his performance in the 100 Butterfly (44.32).
Brooks also assists with Pinnacle Racing at Virginia Tech (PRVT). This group hosted professional athletes from around the world preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Six athletes from this group went to compete at the games, with a notable performance from Santo Condorelli winning a silver medal in the 400 Free Relay.
In 2019-20, Brooks assisted both sprint and mid-distances groups for the Hokies.
Prior to joining the Hokies, Brooks took to the head coaching ranks at Alderson Broaddus University for the 2014-15 season. During his time with the Battlers, both the men’s and women’s teams scored the most points in school history as well as their best overall finishes at the conference championship meet. They broke 12 school records on the men’s side and six for the women. At Alderson Broaddus, his duties also included Aquatics Director.
Brooks served as an assistant coach at The Bolles School from 2012-2014 for the Senior High School, Age-Group and Professional Group. He also acted as the Assistant Director of the Bolles Sharks Swim Camp, and was a Residential Staff member for the Bolles School Boarding Program. He and his wife served as Dorm Parents/Residential Staff to the students residing on campus.
Coaching accomplishments as an assistant coach at The Bolles School:
- 2-Time Boys High School National Championships
- 1-Time Girls High School National Champion Runner-Up
- 9 National Records (5 Relays & 4 Individual)
- 34 High School All-Americans
- 2-Time Boys & Combined Winter Junior National Champions
- 1-Time Girls Junior National Champion Runner-Up
- 3-Time Florida State Champions
Brooks was a member of the West Virginia University swim team under Sergio Lopez Miro. During his four-year college swimming career, he helped WVU win their first (2007) Big East Championship title in the school’s history. That season also marked the first team in school history to go undefeated (13-0) and finish the year ranked 20th in the country. He specialized in sprint freestyle events and was a five-time All-Big East performer. Also while at WVU, he was on the all-time top 10 list in the 50, 100 and 200 Freestyle, 200 and 400 Medley Relay, and the 200, 400 and 800 Freestyle Relays.
In his fifth year of athletic eligibility, he joined the WVU football team as a wide receiver. He was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year and was part of the Gator Bowl team in 2010. Brooks graduated from West Virginia University with a B.A. in Physical Education and Sport Sciences with a focus in Athletic Coaching.
A native of Hurricane, West Virginia, Brooks is married to the former Madisen Meadows. The Brooks’ have three children: Stone, Meadow and Bo.