New Harvard Assistant Swim Coach Killed in Bike Accident

Harvard women’s swimming and diving assistant coach Marlene Pineda passed away Monday due to injuries she sustained in a biking accident in Brighton, Mass. Pineda, 24, was reportedly not wearing a helmet when she was struck by a car on Commonwealth Avenue on Monday afternoon.

Pineda, who recently moved to Brighton, was set to serve as an assistant coach for the Crimson this upcoming season after she was hired by women’s swimming and diving head coach Stephanie Morawski. Pineda, a 2008 graduate of Smith College, came to Harvard after a two-year stint as the assistant at her alma mater.

“Marly was a remarkable woman,” Morawski said, according to gocrimson.com. “I hired her not only because I saw her potential as a coach, but, more importantly, because of her integrity and character.  Marly truly cared about others and had a way of bringing out the best in those around her.  Her death is a tragedy, and she will be remembered always as an extraordinary coach, teammate and friend."

While an undergraduate at Smtih, Pineda was a member of the swimming and diving team, earning a spot on the NEWMAC all-conference team as a senior. She made the transition to coaching after graduation, helping Smith finish with an 8-6 dual meet record over the past two seasons.

But Pineda was ready to make the jump to coaching at the Division I level and was preparing to work with the Crimson this fall.

A memorial service took place today at Harvard’s Blodgett Pool.