Sam Deemer, center, flanked by parents Rob and Kelly Deemer, has signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and swimming career at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Butler swim coach Dave Bocci looks on.

BUTLER TWP — When Butler swimmer Sam Deemer went looking for a college, he wasn't looking at the pool.

He was figuring out his future.

That future will begin at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, a mid-major Division 1 school and member of the America East Conference.

“Sam isn't going to be a professional swimmer,” Golden Tornado coach Dave Bocci said. “He's using the sport to set up his career.

“He could not have made a better choice.”

Deemer carries a 3.9 gradepoint average in high school and plans to major in civil engineering. He also considered George Mason, Cleveland State, Bucknell and Binghamton before selecting NJIT.

“I love their civil engineering program and they have a high-level competitive swim team,” Deemer said. “I enjoy every aspect of that school.”

Deemer placed fourth in the WPIAL in the 200-yard freestyle this season. He was eighth at the PIAA meet in the 100 backstroke.He also competed in three relays for the Golden Tornado.

“I know I'm going to be doing a lot more training now,” Deemer said. “On our guys team at Butler, we had a bunch of us pushing each other and I know I'm going to be in that same type of atmosphere.

“I just want to get faster. I want to be part of a conference championship for myself and the team.”

There are only four seniors on the NJIT men's swimming roster this season. The Highlanders are coached by Ron Farina, who spent 17 years as head swim coach at Seton Hall University and was a two-time Big East Coach of the Year.

Farina led the 2017 Seton Hall team to the Big East championship.

Deemer is hopeful of at least “making the B cut” for Division 1 nationals at some point in his collegiate career.

“It's hard to say how it's gonna go,” he admitted. “I just know I haven't peaked yet.”

Coach Bocci worked with Deemer's grandfather years ago and knows the family well.

“Sam's a great kid and he's going to a great school,” Bocci said. “They compete in a good conference and I feel like Sam can make an impact there right away.

“He's a hard worker and a tough competitor. He's going to be heard from.”

Bocci has been coaching Deemer since seventh grade.

“Swimming is a sport where the individual has to take ownership of his own progress in the pool,” the coach said. “It is not a sport of instant gratification.

“You put in the ground work, the training and you peak at the right time. It's all about work ethic and Sam Deemer has plenty of that.

“His best days in the sport are in front of him for that reason,” Bocci added.