Brian Faikish picture standing on deck in the NPHS Pool

BRIAN FAIKISH

Athlete, North Penn High School, 1989

NPHS Swim Team Co-Captain, 1989

Head Coach Boys Swimming and Diving 2000 – 2005

Team Dual Meet Record 62 Wins - 1 Loss

PIAA STATE CHAMPIONS 2003, 2004; Runner-Up 2001, 2002, 2005

5 Straight District I and 5 Straight League Championships

Coached 7 All-Americans and 12 All-State Swimmers

Head Coach Boys Water Polo 2000–2009

Overall Team Record 220 Wins – 52 Losses

PA STATE CHAMPIONS 2004, 2006, 2007; Runner-Up 2001, 02, 05

COACHED 4 PA STATE “MR. WATER POLO” FINALISTS

Coached 5 All-Americans and 22 All-State Players

PA WATER POLO COACH OF THE YEAR 2001, 2002

Head Coach Girls Water Polo 2000

Team Record 18 Wins - 4 Losses; 2000 PA State Runner-Up

Indiana University PA, BS, Environmental Science, 1994

Inducted 2019


North Penn High School, 1989

Brian’s love of the sport of swimming began in the North Penn Community Aquatics learn-to-swim program (established by fellow NPAAA Hall of Fame member, Mr. Rick Carroll) and continues to this day on the deck of the Rick Carroll Natatorium.

At North Penn High School, Brian swam competitively from 1985-1989 for Mr. Carroll and NPAAA Hall of Fame coach, Bill Berardelli. He was a district qualifier and in his senior year, he was elected captain and received the Most Improved Swimmer over A Career Award. 

During the summer of 1989, NPAAA Hall of Fame member, Selma Robinson, asked him to be an assistant coach for her at Manufacturers Golf and Country Club. It was here that his coaching career began. Each summer, he would come from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and coach at “Mannies” honing his coaching skills all the while making swimming fun for the team.

After graduating with a degree in Environmental Science from IUP, he headed back home to Lansdale to start a position at Colorcon. But in 1995, when offered the assistant coach position of the Boys Swimming and Diving team at his alma mater, he could not pass up the opportunity. From 1995-2000, Brian coached under NPAAA Hall of Fame member, Bill Bartle. During their tenure, the Knights won four straight PIAA State Championships from 1997-2000. He also coached the feeder program, North Penn Aquatic Club, with one of his other mentors, the late Gabi Johnston.

When Bill Bartle retired in May of 2000, Brian was named the head coach for the Boys & Girls Water Polo teams and the Boys Swimming and Diving team. Under his tutelage for five seasons, the Boys Swimming and Diving team amassed a 62-1 record with five straight league and District I championships. The Knights won the PIAA State Championships in 2003 and 2004 and were the team runner-up in 2001, 2002 and 2005. After the 2004-2005 season, Brian stepped down as the boys head swimming and diving coach to spend more time with his young family.

Under Coach Faikish, the Boys Water Polo team also dominated in the pool. The Knights won three State Championships: 2004 and then back-to-back victories in 2006 and 2007 with the team placing second in 2001, 2002 and 2005. Four members of his teams were also named Mr. Water Polo - an honor bestowed upon the best player in the state. In 2001 and 2002, Brian was named the PA Boys Water Polo Coach of the Year by his fellow water polo coaches across the state. In his one year as the head coach of the girls water polo team, the Maidens were the team runner up in 2000. Brian retired as the head coach to focus on his growing family in May of 2009.

Although he was not leading the high school teams, Brian continued to give back to the sports he loved by once again coaching the age group swimmers and water polo players through the North Penn Aquatic Club. And when the time was right, he stepped back onto the deck as an assistant with the boys and girls high school programs in the fall of 2016. Since his return, the boys and girls have won a combined seven state titles and three runner-up titles between the four teams.

Brian is currently in his 22nd year of teaching biology at North Penn High School. He lives in Lansdale with his wife, Mary and his four sons, Sean, Ryan, Aidan and Brendan, three who are currently on the Knights high school water polo and swimming teams.

Brian is honored to be a member of the Class of 2019 North Penn Alumni Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He offers sincere gratitude to those who played a part in his achievement, especially those who helped him become the coach he is today: Rick Carroll, Selma Robinson, Bill Beradelli, Bill Bartle and the late Gabi Johnston. Brian would also like to thank his wife, his parents, John and Patti, and his family for their continuous support all of these years.