May 19, 2011
Contact: Dan Carr
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Following a season in which the women's team set a program record with 15 dual meet victories and the men's team went undefeated in the Horizon League during the regular season, the accolades keep coming the Cleveland State swimming and diving teams' way, as assistant coach Andrew Hancock has been recognized as being one of the top assistant coaches in the country.
CollegeSwimming.com has chosen Hancock, a former CSU swimmer and a four-year assistant coach with both the men's and women's teams, as an Honorable Mention for this year's Career/Lifetime Assistant Coach-of-the-Year award.
"Cleveland State would not be one of the NCAA's top Mid-Major programs without Andrew Hancock," head coach Wally Morton said. "He is the architect and driving force behind our success."
Hancock is the recruiting coordinator for both Cleveland State swimming and diving teams and also serves as the facility manager for most home meets. He also helps organize the teams' workouts and keeps track of all the pool, team and individual records.
"Exposed to some of the best coaching in his native Australia, Andrew has brought innovative and creative ideas to our workout designs," Morton said. "He has a scientifically measured approach which permits our swimmer to have an opportunity to reach their athletic potential. He brings passion, intelligence and discipline to the team every day."
Since Hancock returned to his alma mater for the start of the 2007-08 season, the CSU women's swimming and diving team has steadily improved from a four-win team in his first season to a 15-win program this season. In 2010-11, the Viking women won its first dual meet against St. Francis in five years and beat Green Bay for the first time in over decade.
The men's team has also improved steadily under Hancock's watch, posting seasons of 10 or more wins in each of the past four seasons. This year the Viking men went 4-0 against Horizon League competition and finished the season ranked 10th in the final TYR/College Swimming Coaches of America Association Mid-Major poll.
Both squads finished third at the Horizon League Swimming and Diving Championships, setting a combined nine conference and 13 Cleveland State records in the process.
"It makes me extremely proud to have well-qualified and accomplished assistant coaches," Morton said. "I thank Andrew for his service and wish him congratulations on an honor well-deserved."
