CVAC Coaching Staff

Coach Deion - Head Coach | Program Manager

Deion grew up in Norfolk. As a high school athlete, he attended NCSA Junior Nationals, Zone Select Camp and National Diversity Select Camp as an athlete. He swam for many teams in the Hampton Roads area prior to attending George Mason, where Deion swam from 2014-2018.

At George Mason, he earned his B.S. in Business Management in 2018 and served as a team captain his senior year. He obtained his M.S. in Sport Management at ODU and is currently working on his PhD in Educational Leadership at Regent University. He works at Norfolk State University as an Adjunct Instructor in the Health, Excercise Science, and Physical Education Department. Deion is excited to be a part of Spartan Swim Club and to help swimmers of all ages improve!

Coach Cassondre - Lead Senior Coach | Dryland Coach

Cassondre is the Lead Senior group Coach and head of our weight training program. She started competitively swimming in the early 80’s. She competed at the college level at Old Dominion University, earning several honors, both academically and athletically. She graduated from Old Dominion University with a major in Therapeutic Recreation and double minor in Psychology and Sociology; later receiving a masters degree from NSU in Early Education. Cassondre also served as a personal trainer and was a professional IFPA bodybuilder, who went on to win titles in various divisions.  

Coach Cassondre started her coaching career in Haymarket, VA, later moving to Virginia Beach and started coaching with Tidewater Aquatic Club and then East Coast Aquatic Club,and CVAC. She has been the Head Coach for First Colonial High School for several years, leading them to their most recent title of State Champions for their division. Coach Cassondre has sent several swimmers to age groups and to zones and assisted in the college recruitment process for her senior swimmers. 

She loves the sport of swimming because every swimmer is capable of learning to be the best of their ability. Even if not an Olympic swimmer, it is still important to understand the sport. She cares about every swimmer no matter their ability and likes to assist in each swimmer reaching their own potential both in and out of the water. She emphasizes on instiling values into her swimmers, such as honesty, responsibity and proper communication. She is married to Keenan Wilburn and has one son, Cason, who attends the University of Notre Dame.  

Coach Steve - Assistant Senior Coach

Coach Steve Cassell, known to most as Coach Cassell, is an assistant coach for the Senior group. He has been a Virginia swim coach since 1994, bringing a vast knowledge of coaching to Spartan Swim Club. Coach Cassell has previously been a head age group, senior, and all around coach for teams in Virginia. He has coached swimmers to the Senior National, Junior National and Olympic trial level. In addition, Coach Cassell has coached for Virginia Beach High Schools, leading swimmers to be All American qualifiers. 

Coach Cassell's enthusiasm on deck gets swimmers excited about swimming. He is easy to recognize on the deck because he is always smiling with a positive attitude! He believes in making swimming "fun" while making sure they are putting in the work to achieve their goals. 

Coach Cassell is a proud husband, father and grandfather. He enjoys spending time with his family and staying active.