By Patrick McHugh

Alicia Negrotti never knows what race she will be competing at the next meet. Negrotti, a sophomore on the swimming and diving team, performs in the butterfly, individual medley and freestyle events.

One thing Negrotti can count on is her father being close by. Jake Negrotti is the Athletic Facilities Coordinator at Northeastern. He is in charge of managing the school’s athletic venues, including Parsons Field and Matthews Arena, where he drives the zamboni at hockey games.

His job on campus allows him to see his daughter’s home swim meets.

“I try to rearrange my schedule so that I can make her events,” Jake said. “I go to every home meet because I like to watch her swim, I like to watch her compete.”

Her versatility is an asset to her team, which is in its quest to capture a Colonial Athletic Association championship this winter, said head coach Roy Coates. He said she is among the most talented athletes on the squad, and because she could be performing in many races she works extra hard to prepare for meets.

Although her father works at the university, coming to Northeastern was not an obvious choice for Alicia. As a senior in high school, Alicia was recruited by Bucknell and UMass among other schools. She said she wanted a school with a city and rural atmosphere that would also allow her to compete in swimming. Initially Northeastern was not a top choice, she said.

Her father remained neutral during the recruiting process and presented Northeastern as a possibility. Jake was familiar with Coates and believed he and Alicia would be compatible.

“I liked the coach and I know how successful he has been in the past,” Jake said. “He is one of the best coaches Northeastern has ever had. I thought the school would be a good choice for her as well so I suggested she fill out paperwork. The rest was her decision.”

Indeed Coates has done well with Husky teams. Since becoming head coaching in 1993, the team has won six conference championships, including five consecutive America East titles from 2000 to 2004. Coates also earned Coach of the Year honors in 1995 and 1996.

When recruiting Alicia, Coates believed Northeastern had a lot to offer including a familiar atmosphere.

“Alicia is an elite swimmer and she had many options for schools,” he said. “I always thought that Northeastern would be a great fit for her, both academically and athletically. Because her father works here, she was already familiar with the campus and that certainly worked in our favor.”

Alicia said she chose Northeastern because of the many opportunities the school presented. Being in Boston, the school has a big city feel while maintaining a campus life, she said. Academics were important and opportunities to go on co-op played a role. Alicia, who recently changed her major to psychology, is preparing to enter co-op next year and will graduate in 2011.

What did not impact her decision were her parents, who remained neutral throughout the college process, she said.

“Neither of my parents pushed me to go to Northeastern,” Alicia said. “They only wanted what was best for me. I think they know that I would just do the opposite of what they told me anyway. I made my decision on my own.”

While her father works on campus, Alicia said his presence is subtle.

“To be honest I don’t see him very often,” she said. “He comes to all my home swim meets but other than that I usually only see him at the football or hockey games.”

Jake said he gives Alicia space because that’s what he would want in her situation.

“I just let her be a college kid,” he said. “She knows her parents will support her 100 percent and we know how important swimming is to her. It works for us because she is getting a great education, so we just stay out of her way. She knows where to go if she ever needs help.”

The team’s first meet is tomorrow at 6 p.m. against Boston College at Barletta Natatorium. The Huskies are looking to defeat BC for the third consecutive year.

Alicia said she has enjoyed her time at Northeastern and is looking forward to the swimming season.

“Swimming is just something I love to do,” Alicia said. “The team is prepared to have a successful season and I want to be a part of it.”