University of West Florida Athletics

Chris Sykes is in his first year as the head coach for the Argo’s women’s swim and dive at the University of West Florida.  As a detail-oriented coach, Coach Sykes has refined his training tactics that have had a direct impact on the performance of his athletes. His strategies have allowed nearly every member to achieve new lifetime-best times in various events.

Sykes brings more than 15 years of collegiate coaching experience to the team. Throughout his career, his teams have been brought up to a new level of performance and competitiveness, both in the pool and in the classroom.  Throughout his career, Sykes and his teams have accomplished the highest conference championship placement in program history, have had every record broken under his leadership, have been named Midwest Conference Coach of the Year, and have led a team to two consecutive undefeated dual meet seasons.  Most notably, he has helped guide swimmers to NCAA B cuts and has been nominated for various conference titles such as Elite 20 for highest academic GPA, Newcomer of the Year, Swimmer of the Year, event champions, and all-conference accolades. 

Beyond the pool, Coach Sykes has been a part of the NCAA Championships Committee for swimming and diving; he has also served as a diving regional representative for the NCAA and as a conference sport representative. 
 
COACHING CAREER
Illinois College – Head Swim and Dive Coach (2012-2026)
2025-26

• Led the men’s team to break four school records and won every single meet.
• Led the women’s team to break ten records and increased their conference record by two placements.

2024-25

• Named Midwest Conference Coach of the Year
• Led the men’s team to an undefeated dual meet season and placed fourth at conference championships

2019-2020

• Led Hannah Marks to an NCAA B cut in the 100 Breaststroke. She is the first female in school history to have a qualifying time for nationals.

2018-2019

• Sykes led both men’s and women’s teams to set a combined 25 new records.
• He had a swimmer named MWC Men’s Swimmer of the Year and took him to the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships.

 
Had many swimmers earn all-conference accolades and Elite 20 awards.
 
Illinois College – Swim & Dive Assistant Coach (2011-2012)
 
Assistant Coach of the Decatur Swim Club
Volunteer Coach at the Area 10 Special Olympics
Assistant Coach of the Dundee Dolphins
PERSONAL

• Graduated from Millikin University in 2011
• Member of the swimming team
• Earned four varsity letters: nominated as the team’s Most Outstanding First-Year Male Swimmer
• Sykes, his wife Emily, and their two children Liam and Emma (also swimmers) live in Cantonment