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Bulldogs hire interim swimming, diving coaches

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by Darren Moradian
Athletics Media Relations

Former Fresno State water polo coach Tom Milich has been hired as the interim head coach of the Fresno State women's swimming and diving team. Former Olympian and world record holder An Baxter was tabbed as the squad's interim assistant.

For the past 10 years, Milich has been the head coach of the Clovis Swim Club and the Aquatics Director of Clovis Unified School District. Under his tutelage, five swimmers have gone on to represent the United States in international competition while seven have competed at the NCAA Division I championships. As the district's aquatics manager, Milich has overseen the Clovis Water Polo Club, Clovis Dive Club, Swim Clovis, Clovis Masters and the scheduling and staffing of all seven of the district's swimming facilities.

Prior to his current position, Milich was the head water polo coach at Fresno State (1989-92). During his tenure, he served on the NCAA regional advisory committee and as a NCAA representative for United States Water Polo. Milich was an assistant on the U.S. silver medal winning Olympic squad in 1988 and also served on the staff of the 1991 gold medal World Championships team and the silver medal Pan Am Games group.

Prior to his collegiate and international experience, Milich coached at the high school level where he helped develop 61 All-Americans, including Olympians Janet Evans and John Mykkanen.

Milich graduated from Long Beach State with a degree in biology in 1978 and earned his teaching credential in 1980.

For the last six years, Baxter has served as an assistant for Milich at the Clovis Swim Club. Prior to coming to the Central Valley, Baxter was the head coach at UC Irvine and served on the U.S. National team staff.

One of the most accomplished swimmers in the 800 Freestyle, Baxter became the first woman to swim the event in less than nine minutes to establish a world record. In addition to her Olympic experience, Baxter also swam in the Pan Am Games and World Championships. Baxter swam collegiately at UCLA where she earned All-American honors and was a national champion.

"We are grateful to Tom and An for their willingness to step in during this transition period in our swimming and diving program," Athletics Director Scott Johnson said. "Tom and An bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in the swimming and diving arena. They are both nationally respected as coaches. We are looking forward to a successful season."

Fresno State will resume its national search for its coaching positions following the conclusion of the swimming and diving season in the spring.

Back to University Journal, 2/03 Issue