In summer 2025, the Levite JCC joined with the Pine Tree Swim Team to create a unified team. Our first season included going undefeated in dual meets, breaking multiple records in our home pool, and winning the Senior County Championship to finish No. 1 in our division.
Our program is fun, supportive, and open to swimmers of all levels. Athletes will build stroke technique, endurance, and confidence through engaging practices and team activities. Swimmers will also have the opportunity to compete in meets, develop teamwork, and enjoy an exciting summer in the water.
Scholarships
The Levite JCC is a nonprofit that serves community members regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, or gender. While we depend on membership dues and program fees to help maintain our services, we are committed to serving people regardless of income level. Fee reductions are available on a case-by-case basis depending on your application and LJCC financial resources.
Schedules
- Swimming
- Diving (forthcoming)
Meet the staff
Head Coach John
Coach John brings over 35 years of experience to the pool, making him a cornerstone of the program as he works to create strong fundamentals and proper foundation for technique. Discipline and teamwork help ensure that every swimmer feels encouraged and included.
Coach Lindsey
Coach Lindsay is an avid swimmer with over 7 plus years of coaching experience and is a valuable asset to the swimming community. She focuses on technique, longevity, and helping each swimmer develop a lifelong connection to the sport. With a background in nursing, she values the science behind swimming and its benefits as one of the most well-rounded forms of exercise. She structures each season based on meet schedules and develops practice plans that emphasize endurance, efficiency, and long-term development. Lindsay remains active in the sport as she continues to train and compete.
Coach Franck
Franck Southon, one of the most versatile swimmers in University of Alabama history, brings elite experience and over a decade of coaching to the pool deck. A former graduate assistant coach, he is known for his technical expertise and strong eye for stroke mechanics, helping swimmers maximize performance. Franck holds the school record in the 200 backstroke and ranks among the program’s all-time best in multiple events while also contributing to record-setting relays. A native of France, he will be coaching with the swim team, where his knowledge and passion will continue to develop athletes at all levels.
Rachel Hughes
Rachel has worked alongside Coach John for over six years and plays a key role in keeping the team organized, informed, and running smoothly. She is a graduate of Jeff State swimming and an active masters swimmer. Rachel is not only an important part of the coaching staff but also a parent within the program, giving her a strong connection to the swimmer community. She has helped support and guide the team through numerous successful seasons through her leadership, organization, and commitment to the program.w
Head Coach ‘Coach K’
Coach Thomas, a Birmingham native, played women’s soccer at the University of Kentucky, where she majored in social work. She grew up at The J participating in multiple sports, including diving, where she became a 15-time county champion and a Jefferson County All-Star, also competing in the AAU. With over a decade of coaching experience, she has helped lead The J to consistent top-four county finishes and developed numerous top-three placing divers. Coach Thomas focuses on creating a supportive environment where athletes can grow, learn from mistakes, and reach their full potential. Her passion for diving and commitment to development continues to positively impact every athlete she coaches.
Dive Coach Helen
Also known as “Coach K Mother,” Helen Smith brings nearly 30 years of diving experience — including 30 at the Levite JCC. Her teams have earned multiple county championships, invitational wins, and top-three finishes at the Alabama State Games. She coached her daughter, Coach K, for 15 years and began her own diving career at The J at age 11, competing at the state and southeastern levels, placing third in the Southeast, and qualifying twice for the Junior Olympics. Coach Smith’s approach focuses on each child’s individual growth, connecting skills to their personal goals while emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and strong character in and out of the pool.
Dive Coach Bailey
Coach Bailey Avina (pictured at far left alongside with her co-coaching mother and sister) played women’s soccer and studied teaching at the University of Montevallo. She later earned her master’s in mathematics from the University of Alabama. She participated in diving, swimming, and a variety of sports while growing up at The J, and is known as Coach K’s big sister (and Coach Helen’s daughter). She currently teaches math at McAdory High School, where she is also head coach of the Yellow Jackets soccer team. Coach Bailey focuses on strong technique while fostering a supportive and fun environment for all athletes.