Illinois Institute of Technology

Julian Escasa enters his fourth season as an assistant swimming & diving coach for the men’s and women’s programs in 2023-24. Escasa competed at Division III Illinois Institute of Technology. A four-year member of the team, he was a three-year All-Conference swimmer at the Liberal Arts Conference Championship and named Illinois Tech runner-up athlete of the year in 2019. He served as a team captain in his fourth year. Currently, Escasa works as a research and development engineer at Fresenius-Kabi. In his spare time, he enjoys training for triathlons as an amateur triathlete, coaching other triathletes at all levels, cooking, and finding new music to add to his vinyl collection. He encourages healthy lifestyles and appreciates seeing personal growth in athletics. Escasa earned his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and master’s degree in chemical engineering from Illinois Tech in 2020. "No matter what decision you choose in life - big or small - you will always disappoint someone. Make sure that person isn't yourself. Make sure YOU are happy" – Anonymous

Mac Robertson enters his third season as an assistant swimming & diving coach for the men’s and women’s programs in 2023-24. Robertson competed at Division III Albion College. A four-year member of the team, he enjoyed a successful career helping the Britons capture three MIAA conference champion titles, including one being their first since 1971. He was a two-time All-MIAA conference swimmer and the first NCAA D3 finisher in the CSCAA Open Water National Championship during the 2016-17 season. He served as a team captain for the Britons in his fourth year. Currently, Robertson enjoys competing in triathlons and discovering the world through his travels. He looks forward to bringing his distance freestyle experience to the pool deck and helping the Scarlet Hawks achieve their personal and collective goals. Robertson earned his bachelor’s degrees in both sociology and communication studies from Albion College in 2020.

Billy Bafia enters his seventh season as an assistant swimming & diving coach for the men’s and women’s programs in 2023-24. Bafia competed at Division III Illinois Institute of Technology. A four-year member of the team, he was a top-three finisher in the 100 and 200 Breaststrokes at the Liberal Arts Conference Championship and named Illinois Tech athlete of the year in 2015. In 2013, Bafia qualified for the NAIA championships for the 50 Free, 100 Breast, and 200 Breast. He served as a team captain in his third and fourth years. Currently, Bafia works as a software engineer at United Airlines building applications for internal finance systems. Outside of work, he spends time playing volleyball, globe-trotting, and hiking. His most notable trip this past summer was visiting his cousin in Funchal on the Portuguese island Madeira and trying out the food at his new restaurant. Bafia earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from Illinois Tech in 2015. "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail" – Ralph Waldo Emerson