Rockets Announce Hiring of Mark Howard as Assistant Swim Coach
12/3/2010 4:36:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
TOLEDO, OH - University of Toledo swimming and diving Head Coach Liz Hinkleman announced today the hiring of Mark Howard as an assistant coach. Howard joins the Rockets after four seasons at Bowling Green.
Howard, who has been assisting Hinkleman throughout the season on a volunteer basis, will take part in his first meet in an official capacity on Friday as he accompanies the Rockets to Ypsilanti, MI for the Eastern Michigan Invitational.
"We are very excited to have Mark Howard on board with the Rockets," said Hinkleman. "He has been a great asset to our program over the past couple of months and I know that he will bring many new ideas to our training program and be a great recruiter. He comes from a strong background on both the collegiate and club level."
Howard, more commonly known as "Howie" by the team, is entering his 13th year coaching swimming at both the collegiate and club levels. Prior to his assignment at Toledo, Howard served as the assistant coach at Bowling Green for four seasons. During his tenure with the Falcons, he helped coach several BG record-holders and all-time top performers.
Originally from Dallas, TX, Howard joined the Falcons after working at De Anza Cupertino Aquatics in California. Before that, he spent time in Australia developing his coaching skills. Howard began his coaching career with the City of Plano Swimmers (COPS), and has been mentored by several noteworthy coaches, including "BBQ" Bill Thompson and Gordy Smith - both swimmers under Olympic coaching great George Haines - as well as Olympic coaches Frank Bush, Rick DeMont, Eddie Reese, Kris Kubik and Pierre LaFontaine.
A 1997 graduate of the University of Arizona, Howard was a Pac-10 finalist for the Wildcats swimming program. As a high school athlete, Howard was a National High School Champion and Texas state record holder in the 200 IM, as well as the 200 and 400 medley relays. He was also a Senior National Qualifier and National Age Group Champion while attending Plano Senior High.
Howard is the son of Ann and Larry Howard and has one sister, Heather Kruthers. His extended family includes a brother-in-law, Mark, and two nieces, Kendall and Avery.
"I am honored and thrilled to play a small part in Toledo's attempt to repeat as conference champions," said Howard. "Mike O'Brien, Kelly Andrews and Liz Hinkleman, among others worked tirelessly to see me become the assistant swim coach and I absolutely refuse to let anyone down, especially the student-athletes on this team. I take great pride in representing the University of Toledo and truly appreciate the hard work that has been done by so many."
Players Mentioned
