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Head Coach Nicholas AskewHead Coach

Nicholas Askew

Nicholas Askew, a native of Kinston, North Carolina, has made an indelible mark on the world of collegiate athletics, revolutionizing the sport of swimming and diving. His journey began early, splashing into his first pool at the age of three and stepping onto the tennis court at seven. By the age of 10, Askew was a dedicated competitor, being groomed as a future Olympic swimmer. His exceptional talent in swimming and tennis earned him the prestigious title of High School Athlete of the Year before graduating.

In 1996, Askew followed in his two older brothers’ footsteps to attend Howard University, where he excelled as a dual-sport athlete in swimming and tennis. During his collegiate career, he broke several swimming records, served as team captain, and earned six conference championships. A four-time *Most Valuable Player*—three in swimming and one in tennis—Askew distinguished himself as the only Howard student-athlete to earn MVP honors in two sports in the same year.  These accomplishments led to Askew being inducted into the Howard University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.

Askew’s coaching career began in 2001 when he became an assistant coach at his alma mater, recruiting and training top-tier talent. The following year, he expanded his impact by serving as Director of Programs at the Prince George’s Tennis and Education Foundation, where he used sports to teach leadership, discipline, and accountability.

With nearly three decades of professional coaching experience, Askew has developed athletes into district, state, and national champions. His innovative coaching style and commitment to community empowerment have earned him numerous accolades, including Coach of the Week, Coach of the Year in 3 different conferences (CCSA, MEAC, and NEC), and Professional of the Year. In 2020, he was honored with the Maritza Correia McClendon Award from Diversity in Aquatics and named CCSA Men’s Coach of the Year. In 2022, voted on by his peers, he was presented the National Collegiate and Scholastic Trophy.  Additionally in 2023, Askew was distinguished along side Dawn Staley as a Drake Hero Award winner and recognized with Michael Phelps as the Indiana Sports Corp Pathfinder Award winner, further cementing his legacy in the sport.

As Director of Swimming & Diving at the nation's only NCAA Division I Historically Black College and University (HBCU) swimming and diving program, Askew has transformed Howard University’s program into a globally recognized powerhouse. Since his tenure began, the team has seen unprecedented success, including:

  • Winning its first dual meet in nearly 15 years by his second season.
  • Finishing undefeated at home in his third season.
  • Breaking over 200 school records.
  • Achieving its best season-ending records in nearly 30 years.
  • Competing on the national stage at the National Invitational Championship.
  • Producing Olympic athletes
  • Producing NCAA Diving Championship Athletes
  • Producing NCAA Swimming Championship Qualifiers
  • 2023 Northeast Conference Men's Champions (First Conference Championship in program history.
  • 2024 Northeast Conference Women's runner-up 
  • 2025 Northeast Conference Men's Champions 
  • 2025 Northeast Conference Women's runner up 

Askew’s innovative leadership has also revolutionized the sport’s culture. In 2022, he created the groundbreaking "Battle at the Burr", a first-of-its-kind swimming and diving showcase held at Howard University’s Burr Gymnasium. The SOLD OUT event has brought international attention to the program, celebrating diversity and inclusion while electrifying the collegiate swimming and diving scene.  Special guests have included Olympians Maritza McClendon, Cullen Jones, Simone Manuel, Katie Meili, Rowdy Gaines, and more.  At BATBIII, social media influencer, Kyle Sockwell made HU the second stop on his College Dual Meet Tour.

Under Askew's leadership, the program has achieved remarkable academic success as well. Both squads have consistently been named CSCAA Scholar All-America Teams, with the men’s team earning the Highest Team GPA Award at Howard University in two of the past three years. Individual athletes, such as Mohamed Bouzaghrane, Aaliyah Young and Noah Nicholas, have been recognized for earning the highest athlete GPAs at Howard.

A proud Howard alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Askew resides in Maryland with his wife and fellow Howard graduate, Christie Askew, and their three daughters, Aleena, Avianna, and Aleya. Through his visionary leadership, Askew continues to inspire, innovate, and elevate the world of collegiate swimming and diving.  The best is yet to come. 

Assistant Coach Salim KingAssistant Coach

Salim King

Salim King is a native of Hempstead, New York where he attended Hempstead High School (1993-97). During his tenture, he was a member of the swimming and diving team. Heavily recruited, King decided to attend Howard University upon graduation.

At Howard, he majored in Afro American studies and minored in elementary and physical education. As a member of the team, he became both a school record holder in the 1650-yard freestyle and a team captain.

After graduation, King became a teacher for the Prince George’s County Public Schools system. While working full-time as a teacher, King taught private swim lessons on occasion to friends and family but desired to begin coaching on a larger and more competitive scale. He spent the next four years as head coach at Central High School, where he produced the school’s first all-state swimmer.

King went on to coach the Kingfish Swim team in the Prince-Mount swim league for two seasons. As head coach, King led the Kingfish to a 14-2 combined record before being offered an opportunity to return to his alma mater.

For the last five years, King has worked with the program and enjoys working with the current crop of distant swimmers as they help move the Bison to new heights.

During the 2018-19 campaign, both teams were named to the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA) Scholar All-America Team. Individually, diver Christian Nickolas represented HU in the 2019 NCAA Diving Championships while earning a spot on the 2019 CSCAA Scholar All-America honors.

Assistant Coach Courtenay MillerAssistant Coach

Courtenay Miller

Courtenay Miller, a proud native of Chicago, Illinois, serves as the Assistant Coach for Howard University Swimming and Diving. A former standout diver for Howard University, Coach Miller is deeply connected to the program's legacy and brings a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and leadership to his role.
As a student-athlete at Howard, Coach Miller excelled as a diver, earning recognition for his athleticism and commitment to the sport. His time as a Bison instilled in him a passion for excellence, discipline, and teamwork—values he now imparts to the next generation of Howard swimmers and divers.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Coach Miller is actively involved in the Nic Askew Swim and Dive Camp, an initiative that introduces young athletes to competitive swimming and diving while emphasizing the importance of water safety and representation in aquatic sports. Through his work with the camp, Courtenay has helped nurture the talents of countless aspiring swimmers and divers, sharing his expertise and inspiring them to achieve their full potential.

Coach Miller’s dedication to fostering growth extends beyond the pool. His Chicago roots and lived experiences allow him to connect with student-athletes on a personal level, encouraging them to overcome challenges and excel both athletically and academically.

Instructor Miriam LynchInstructor

Miriam Lynch

Miriam Lynch is a trailblazing leader in the world of aquatics, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to the Nic Askew Swim and Dive Camp. As the CEO of Diversity in Aquatics, an organization dedicated to increasing participation and diversity in aquatic activities, and an Assistant Coach for Howard University Swimming and Diving, Miriam has dedicated her career to breaking barriers and creating opportunities in the water.

A former standout swimmer for Howard University, Miriam competed at the collegiate level with distinction, earning accolades for her athletic excellence and leadership in the pool. Her time as a Bison shaped her commitment to fostering representation and equity in aquatics, a mission that continues to define her work today.

As CEO of Diversity in Aquatics, Miriam has spearheaded initiatives to address the disparities in water safety and access, particularly in underserved communities. Her work has had a transformative impact, inspiring individuals across the nation to engage in swimming, diving, and other aquatic sports.

At Howard University, Miriam brings her expertise and energy to her role as assistant coach, where she mentors the next generation of student-athletes, helping them achieve success both in the pool and in life. Her dual roles as a coach and advocate make her an invaluable part of the Nic Askew Swim and Dive Camp, where she empowers young athletes to develop their skills, build confidence, and embrace the joy of swimming.

Miriam’s commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in aquatics is matched by her drive to inspire others to reach their full potential. Her achievements as a swimmer, coach, and advocate continue to pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in aquatic sports.