PEMBROKE – After leading the Braves to four victories, as well as a third-place finish at the Sun Coast Swimming Conference Championships, UNC Pembroke director of athletics Dick Christy has removed the interim tag from swimming coach Oscar Roverato's title, officially making him the second head coach in program history.
 
Roverato was named interim head coach in August 2018 following the resignation of Rhonda Blank who departed UNCP for personal reasons, but served as a volunteer assistant coach during the 2018-19 campaign.
 
"Oscar's dedication as interim coach this year produced tremendous results and we are so grateful for his commitment to our student-athletes and our program," Christy said. "He has a great vision for recruiting and for continuing the growth of our new swim program."
 
Roverato led the Black & Gold to a quartet of dual meet victories over the course of the 2018-19 season, and the Braves picked up their first invitational victory in program history after finishing at the top of a seven-team field at the Greensboro College Mid-Season Invitational. The Black & Gold capped its season with a program-best third place finish at the SCSC Championships in February.
 
"I am honored to accept the position as head coach of the swimming program at UNC Pembroke," Roverato said. "I have a phenomenal passion for this sport, and I am excited to have the opportunity to grow this program to even bigger heights, both in the pool and in the classroom. I have no doubt that UNCP swimming can became a major player both in the southeast region and on the national level. I would like to thank Dick Christy and the rest of the athletics department for putting their faith in me to continue to build this program up to its fullest potential."
 
Roverato has more than 29 years of coaching experience and came to Pembroke with an impressive foundation of success in the swimming pool. He founded the USA Swimming-certified Fayetteville Aquatic Swim Team in 2005 and has served as both owner and head coach of that organization for the last 14 years. His swimming & diving background also includes a three-year stint as the inaugural coach of the Fort Bragg Fighting Fish, as well as a two-year stay as the aquatics instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College.
 
Prior to his beginning his career as a swimming & diving coach, Roverato served as an assistant coach for the volleyball and tennis programs at Fayetteville State from 1998-2003. He also served as an associate professor in physical education at Sandhills Community College during the 2007-08 academic year.
 
A Level III-IV USA Swimming-certified coach, Roverato also holds American Red Cross Certifications in first aid, water safety and lifeguard training. He earned his bachelor's degree in sports science from the University of America in 2003, and earned his master's degree in sports science from the United States Sports Academy in 2007.
 
The Italy native and his wife, Shatheta, reside in nearby Raeford.