Augustana College Athletics

There wasn't much of a learning curve for Rob Narske when he arrived on the Augustana campus in the fall of 1989. His father, Richard, was a chemistry professor and Rob had been a standout swimmer at Rock Island High School so when he hit the water in the Carver Center Pool for the first time as a freshman there was a certain familiarity about the place. He was a top-notch performer for then-head coach Dave Thomas for all four years.
 
When he left the water for the last time in the late winter of 1992, his name was plastered all over the Vikings record books. He was the school record holder in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:51.93 from 1992 and the 400 individual medley at 4:16.62 from 1991. That 500 freestyle time is now seventh on the all-time list and the 400 individual medley is fourth.
 
When he marched across the Carver Center stage in May of 1992 with a degree in chemistry, he ranked second in the following 1000 & 1650 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley and was fourth in the 200 butterfly. To this day he is in the top 10 of seven individual events, including those two where he held school records.
 
"Augustana was a place where I was challenged to reach for bigger and greater things," said Narske. "I was pushed beyond where I thought I could have imagined and accomplished things I never dreamed of."
 
A two-time team captain, Narske helped the Vikings compile a dual meet record of 21-14 during his time under the tutelage of Thomas. In his senior season Narske led the Blue & Gold to a 6-1 dual meet record and a second-place finish in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin.
 
"Rob was one of the most versatile swimmers in Augustana history.  He was a leader in the classroom, in the pool and in the community," said Thomas. "He led by example, by quiet words and if needed positive encouragement.  Truly an exceptional young man and now a phenomenal man."
 
Although he was a steady performer throughout his career, he really turned it on as a junior. During that year he set a school record in the 400 individual medley and recorded times in the 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly and 1000 freestyle that were second fastest in school history at the time. As a senior he added a school record in the 500 freestyle and the second fastest time in the 1650.
 
Individually, he won three CCIW titles two in the 400 individual medley; the first one as a junior in 1990-91 and the second one during his senior season of 1991-92 and one in the 1,650 freestyle, also as senior. He also handled the lead off leg for the conference championship 800 freestyle relay to a title in 1992 when he teamed with Scott Frech, Ted Christiansen and Mike Orseno.
 
His accomplishments in the pool certainly put him among the elite athletes in Augustana history but there was much more to the slender, blonde-haired kid with the engaging smile. He was the winner of the CCIW's Jack Swartz Award as a senior. That honor goes to the student-athlete who combined athletic prowess and academic success and Narske, with school records and conference championships along with a 3.68 GPA and a major in chemistry, certainly fit the bill for that.
 
According to his old coach, he contributed in more ways than just in the pool. "Rob was there to help with whatever was needed," recalled Thomas. "One time he helped figure out a way to bring down the old scoreboard, which weighed an awful lot, without it killing all of us in the process.  I am blessed to have coached Rob."
 
After graduation, he took his love and passion for chemistry that he inherited from his father, to the predictable next level. He went to the University of Iowa as a research fellow earned his M.S. and Ph.D.in Organic Chemistry. His doctoral dissertation in December of 1997 was entitled Stereoselective Synthesis of Substituted € and (X)-Difluroethenyl Derivatives.
 
While at Iowa he also served as a volunteer coach for the Hawkeyes Women's Swimming & Diving team from October of 1993 until May of 1995.
 
He then headed to North Carolina where he served as a postdoctoral chemist for Research Triangle Institute and also as a professor of chemistry at Wake Technical Community College. Eventually his career path took him to Houston, Texas where he served as a chemist/senior lab technical for the Protechnics Division at Core Laboratories.
 
After spending his entire professional life in the field of chemistry, Narske's life took a dramatic turn in 2015. He had earned his M.A. in Christian Education., Education & Leadership from the Dallas Theological Seminary in May of 2009 and he decided to alter his career path. In December of 2015 he became a campus staff minister for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship/USA for graduate and faculty ministries where he serves for the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan Universities and is stationed in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
 
"It became very clear to me as my relationship with Christ deepened, that although I loved chemistry, it had been my choice for my life, not God's choice," explained Narske. "God has led me to a position where I am able to use all of my talents, abilities, gifts, passions and experiences to make an eternal impact in people's lives."
 
His duties in InterVarsity include coaching, mentoring and equipping students and faculty to engage their campuses, fields of study and others with the Good News of Jesus Christ with the hopes to develop followers of Christ who transform lives, institutions and cultures through their chosen vocations.
 
Rob and his wife Fietka have two sons; Raleigh and Emery.