Director of Aquatics
Cliff Merritt serves as the Director of Aquatics and Risk Management at Duke Recreation & Physical Education, where he oversees the operations, programming, and risk management of the university's aquatics facilities (Taishoff Aquatics Center and the Brodie Aquatics Center). With over two decades of experience in aquatics management, risk assessment, and staff development, Cliff is dedicated to ensuring safe, inclusive, and high-quality aquatic programming for the Duke community.
Before joining Duke in 2023, Cliff held leadership roles in aquatics at Boston University, the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, and the Salem Community Center, managing large-scale swim programs, lifeguard training, and safety initiatives. He is an American Red Cross Instructor Trainer, Certified Pool Operator (CPO), and lifelong advocate for water safety and education.
Beyond his professional role, Cliff is passionate about health, wellness, and endurance sports. A dedicated triathlete, he has completed over 10 Iron-distance triathlons and spends much of his free time training for his next race. He believes in leading an active and balanced lifestyle and enjoys motivating others to embrace fitness and outdoor recreation.