Saint Joseph’s College Director of Athletics Chris Willer announced on September 17th, 2025 that Fr. Steven Cartwright has been named as the head coach of the Monks’ men’s and women’s swimming programs. A native of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and a graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, Cartwright brings a proven track record of success from his years leading Georgetown University’s Division I program, where his swimmers excelled both in the pool and in the classroom.
Cartwright succeeds former head coach Jared Felker, who stepped down this summer after guiding the Monks for nine seasons. Under Felker’s leadership, Saint Joseph’s achieved four top-five GNAC Championship finishes on the women’s side, produced 21 individual All-Conference honorees and five All-GNAC relay squads, and earned 43 GNAC All-Academic Team selections. Both the men’s and women’s programs were also recognized with 2023 CSCAA Scholar All-America Team distinction.
During his tenure at Georgetown (2006–10), Cartwright oversaw significant program growth and achievement. Thirty-four school records fell under his direction, with more than half of the program’s all-time top-10 performances recorded during his four years at the helm. His 2009–10 women’s squad posted a 10-2 record—the best dual-meet mark in school history—while breaking nine school records, and the men’s team set five new records and placed seven swimmers in the top-16 at the BIG EAST Championship.
Academically, Georgetown’s swimming & diving program flourished as well. The team earned CSCAA Academic All-America honors for 36 consecutive semesters, and both squads were regularly recognized among the top All-Academic Teams in the nation. The women’s team held the highest GPA of any Division I swimming program in the country in Spring 2006, while the men’s team achieved the same distinction in Spring 2007.
Cartwright stepped away from collegiate coaching in 2010 to pursue the priesthood, earning a Master of Divinity from Pope Saint John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Mass., in 2015. He was ordained by the 12th Bishop of Portland, the Most Reverend Robert P. Deeley, JCD, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland on June 13, 2015. Since then, he has served in parishes across Maine, including as Parochial Vicar of Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston, Lisbon Falls, and Sabattus and of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Windham, Gorham and Westbrook. In 2022, he was appointed Pastor of the Parish of the Holy Eucharist, which encompasses Falmouth, Freeport, Gray, and Yarmouth where he presently serves.
Cartwright’s coaching background also includes assistant roles at Georgetown (2004-06), the Seacoast Swimming Association (2002-03), and Rockville-Montgomery Swim Club (2001-02), where he trained swimmers who went on to compete at sectional, U.S. Open, and national levels. Most recently, he assisted as a volunteer coach at Bates College (2016-18).
A standout swimmer himself, Cartwright competed at The Catholic University of America, where he was a school record holder, ECAC champion, Capital Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year, and two-time Team MVP. He also swam at St. Bonaventure and St. John’s University, competing at the highest levels of Division I swimming.
“Saint Joseph’s is excited to welcome Coach Cartwright back into collegiate swimming,” says Willer. “His record of competitive success, his commitment to academics, his deep roots in Maine, and the strong sense of faith and values he carries make him the ideal leader for our programs.”
Fr. Cartwright expressed his excitement about joining the Monks.
“I am honored, as well as happily surprised, to join the Saint Joseph’s community and lead the Monks’ swimming programs,” said Cartwright. “Coaching has always been about more than just times on the scoreboard. It’s about helping young men and women discover their gifts, push their limits, learn to balance competition with community and grow as leaders. I believe that St. Joseph’s is a place where faith, education and athletics work hand in hand and I am humbled and grateful to Bishop Ruggieri, President Cassidy and Director of Athletics Chris Willer for the opportunity to lead this program into its next chapter and I pray that I can do just that.”
Cartwright officially took the helm on September 15, as the Monks set their sights on the upcoming 2025–26 season.
