Bowman Named Eighth Head Coach in Program History

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan athletics director Bill Martin announced today (Thursday, April 1) the hiring of Bob Bowman as the eighth men's swimming and diving coach in school history.

Bowman

"We are excited to add Bob Bowman to the list of great head coaches we have at Michigan," noted Martin. "Bob is one of the most respected swim coaches in the United States. His wealth of experience at the highest level of American and international swimming along with his passion for teaching make him a great fit to maintain the tradition of excellence the men's swimming and diving program has established at Michigan."

A coach at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club since 1996, Bowman has held his current position of High Performance Coach since 1999 and is responsible for the direct coaching of the Senior Elite Performance Group. Bowman has placed 10 swimmers on U.S. National Teams throughout his career and is currently the head coach for U.S. National Team member Michael Phelps. Presently preparing for the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece, Phelps has set 13 world records and 20 American records under Bowman's tutelage.

Under Bowman's watch, members of the North Baltimore Aquatic Club have set more than 50 national age group records and won the 2004 Spring National 18-under championship. Previous Olympians Bowman helped coach include former Michigan NCAA champion Eric Wunderlich (1989-93), who was a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team.

"I am honored to have the privilege of coaching at an institution such as Michigan, which offers world-class opportunities both athletically and academically," stated Bowman. "I take great pride in the responsibility of maintaining the rich swimming tradition that has been established through the years at Michigan."

A two-time USA Swimming Coach of the Year (2001, '03) as well as the 2002 USA Swimming Developmental Coach of the Year, Bowman is a finalist for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) National Coach of the Year honor which will be announced May 2 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

A 1987 graduate of Florida State, Bowman swam collegiately for the Seminoles and was team captain in 1985. He served as assistant coach for FSU in 1986-87 and held positions with several club teams throughout the country before joining the North Baltimore Aquatic Club in 1996.

While he will be making several trips to Ann Arbor throughout the spring and summer, Bowman will assume full-time duties as the Michigan head coach following the Olympics in September. Bowman is replacing legendary Michigan swim coach Jon Urbanchek, who announced on Jan. 22, 2004, the 2003-04 season would conclude a 22-year head coaching career at his alma mater which included a 1995 national championship and 13 Big Ten Conference team titles.

Contact: Bruce Madej (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

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