James Boone – Males’s Swimming and Diving Coach

As introduced by Ball State swimming & diving head coach J. Agnew, Colorado native James Boone joins this system as assistant coach for the 2025-26 season. 

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome James Boone to Ball State as our new assistant coach,” Agnew mentioned. “He brings a sharp analytical mind to the sport with a unique ability to connect with and motivate his student athletes. His character and leadership traits are exactly what we look for in our Cardinals.”

Prior to Ball State, Boone coached at Grandview High School in Aurora, Colo., the identical college the place he had been a student-athlete from 2011-15. As head coach of the ladies program for 2 seasons from 2023-25, Boone guided six swimmers to proceed their careers on the collegiate degree. Boone’s management additionally aided the Wolves to realize two all-American relays, together with a high three state end, and 4 college data. 

While main the ladies, Boone additionally served as an assistant coach for the Grandview boys program. From 2021-25, he performed a key position in serving to 5 swimmers attain the collegiate degree whereas this system earned seven particular person All-American awards, 4 All-American relays, together with a second-place state end, and celebrated six particular person state champions. Under his steering, the boys crew set new college data in each occasion, together with 4 data beforehand held by Boone since 2015. 

During this time, Boone additionally grew to become a founding member of the Aspire Aquatics of Colorado employees, serving as the pinnacle senior coach from 2021-25. With his assist the crew noticed success, rising from 70 to 140 members as he coached all 11 sectional swimmers for the reason that crew’s inception.

After his collegiate profession concluded on the finish of his 2018-19 marketing campaign, Boone stayed on as an undergraduate assistant coach at Purdue in the course of the 2019-2020 season, primarily teaching a gaggle of eight dash and mid-distance freestylers.

Before teaching, Boone competed in freestyle sprints and was a key contributor in relay occasions for the Boilermakers from 2015-19, graduating with a bachelor’s diploma in industrial engineering and a minor in administration. Boone was mentored by then assistant coach Agnew for 3 years earlier than he took the pinnacle coach place at Ball State in 2018. 

By the tip of his collegiate profession, Boone set three program data as anchor within the 400 free (2:52.19) and medley (3:07.70) relays, in addition to the 800 free relay (6:26.91). Boone additionally achieved the ninth-best time in program historical past within the 100 free (43.61). As of current day, his program data nonetheless stand as high 10 instances within the crew’s historical past.

As crew captain his senior 12 months, Boone was a NCAA Championships qualifier within the 400 freestyle relay and was awarded by this system, being acknowledged because the crew’s Red Mackey honoree for excellence. 

“I’m thrilled to be a part of Ball State swim and dive, and I’m eager to continue to grow the excellence of the program,” Boone said. “Thank you to my long-time mentor, J., and to Ball State Athletics for the opportunity. I couldn’t ask for a better community to be a part of. Thank you to my Purdue, Grandview and Aspire families for preparing me for this huge step. Go Cards! Chirp Chirp!”

Boone is married to Katherine Boone, an obstetrician-gynecologist resident doctor at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, and the 2 have a canine, Rory. Aside from persevering with to swim and compete, Boone enjoys board video games, snowboarding, comedy and basketball.