The 2023-24 season concluded Vasquez's sixth as the head coach of the Davenport University swimming and diving programs. It was also be his 16th year coaching swimming and diving at the collegiate level. Vasquez was appointed to lead Davenport in August 2017 after a stop at his alma mater, Grand Valley State University.
The Davenport University women's swimming and diving program began competing in the fall of 2018, before the men’s program began competing two years later in the fall of 2020.
After six seasons of competition with the women and four seasons with the men, the programs have had continued growth both in the classroom and in the pool. The women’s team has garnered CSCAA Scholar All-American honors every semester and has had someone qualify for the NCAA Championships every season.
The 2023-24 year was one of the best in Vasquez's tenure with the Panthers. The men's team set 11 new school records in the 2024 calendar year and the women's team established nine new school records. In addition, a total of eight student-athletes were named College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District. Owen Stender advanced to the national ballot where he was named Third Team Academic All-American. He also earned the Chi Alpha Sigma athletic honor society induction as one of just three student-athletes at Davenport in 2023-24.
The Panthers made history at the 2024 NCAA Division II Championships where four student-athletes reached the highest level in the sport. Alicja Pinkowicz set three school records and was named Honorable Mention All-American. Maciej Konarski swam in three events and Dylan Theisen competed in the diving competition. Stender earned Second Team All-American in the 100 breast by finishing 11th in a school-record time of 53.78.
While serving as the Associate Head Swim Coach/Assistant Aquatics Coordinator at GVSU, Vasquez guided the mid-distance/distance freestyle swimmers while helping to create and manage a new weight training and dry land program for the entire team. His freestyle group produced many NCAA-All Americans and won three NCAA Individual National Championships.
Prior to his work in Allendale, Vasquez served as an assistant swim coach at Calvin College from September 2009 until March 2012, where he worked primarily with the individual medley group.
Justin was a standout student-athlete in the pool during his collegiate days at GVSU and was named an All-American and Academic All-American during the 2005-06 campaign. He also served as team captain during the 2006-07 season for the Lakers.
Justin and his wife, Amanda, reside in Jenison, Mich. and are proud parents of their five children: Weston, Makenzie, Hayden, Emersyn, and Quinton.
