Cal State East Bay's Pioneer Spotlight this week turns to a pivotal figure in its athletics department, focusing on Shane Pelton, the distinguished head coach of the Women's Swimming team. 

Since taking the helm, Pelton has guided the Pioneers to new heights, securing PCSC Championship titles for the seasons 2018-19, 2019-20, and most recently 2023-24. Several Pioneer swimmers under his direction have qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships and multiple Pioneer records have been achieved. His strategic approach and dedication to the development of the team have been instrumental in these successes, earning him a revered spot among the coaching elite in collegiate swimming.

Part of Pelton's coaching style involves a good challenge for him, balancing camaraderie, fun and focus as student-athletes. 

"In all seriousness, our team thrives off strong relationships while balancing our goals with a ton of fun. The goal is for connections to develop organically. Our team genuinely cares about each other and they choose to spend time together, while absolutely supporting one another. What makes this group special is how accepting they are of different personalities, creating an environment where everyone feels valued. They also take pride in each other's success—celebrating every achievement and being their own biggest cheerleaders. As a coach, that's extremely special, but I sometimes need to remind them to lock in because they're having too much fun—which is a good problem to have! I always joke that when we travel, it's a business trip, but we perform our best when we're relaxed and enjoying each other's company."

And outside the pool, Pelton doesn't need to enforce a lot to motivate his team.

"This group…they make it easy for me. Our athletes are driven and naturally excel academically, and we take immense pride in that as a program. As a coach, I provide support when needed, but they hold themselves to a high standard that we set as a team and they set individually at the beginning of the year. Through regular check-ins and open communication, I help them maintain that balance, ensuring they continue to thrive both in the classroom and in the pool. Balancing academics with life outside of school—family, jobs, relationships—is often the most challenging part, and I'm here to support them as they navigate those challenges while staying focused on their goals."

Pelton, growing up in the Greater Philadelphia area, looked at his local success when learning to become a great coach.

"I grew up a huge Villanova basketball fan, and I have always been a huge fan of Jay Wright in many ways. His ability to transform Villanova Basketball into an NCAA powerhouse while staying true to his roots resonates with me. He could have taken any job in the country, but he chose to stay at Villanova, a mid-major program, and build something special while winning two national championships! His leadership, culture-building, and commitment to player development are qualities I admire. And of course, I can't talk about Jay Wright without mentioning his incredible style! Always looking the best with those three piece suits, so staying classy, but being a bit flashy is how I like to show up on the pool deck!"