Former Madison, Dayton Flyers hoops star becomes new YMCA swim director

The new aquatics director at the Middletown Atrium YMCA has known the soaring heights of collegiate basketball stardom but now is sinking into watery depths of her new job — and she couldn’t be happier about it.

Former University of Dayton star and WNBA professional basketball player Ally Malott was recently promoted as the new director of the popular aquatics program at the Middletown Atrium YMCA.

It’s Malott’s latest “team” and that’s the most important part of her new career path, said the Madison High School graduate, who was a UD senior in 2015 when the Lady Flyers reached the Elite Eight.

“Basketball has been such a huge part of my life the past 20 years and it has taught me so many things,” said Malott.

“Being involved with a team and making sure everyone is doing their part to reach a common goal is a huge. The Y is essentially a giant team with everyone sharing feedback and support to keep things running smoothly,” she said.

She was the eighth overall pick in the WNBA’s first round in 2015.

Later Malott played in Turkey for two months after her first WNBA season. She then played for the Dandenong Rangers in Australia.

In her new career, Malott wants to continue the success of local YMCA’s already popular swim program.

“I hope to build upon that and get even more kids involved in lessons, increase class attendance, and build positive relationships with the members. I want to make sure our pool is safe, clean, and a place for everyone to have fun and build healthy habits,” she said.

Tyler Roberts, senior director of the Middletown Atrium YMCA, said Malott’s devotion to team leadership was clear early on in her work.

“Ally has shown wonderful leadership skills that is accompanied by strong work ethic. A few weeks into Ally’s employment with Great Miami Valley YMCA, she had already shown our team that she would be an asset on our leadership team one day,” said Roberts.

“I believe Ally’s involvement in team sports is a contributing factor to her ability to work so well within a team,” he said.

Malott said “swimming is the epitome of a life-long skill. You can enjoy the water no matter what age you are, and I think it is super important to instill safe techniques in kids at an early age so they can become confident swimmers the rest of their life.”

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