Fresno State Athletics
Ryan Purdy Named Assistant Swim Coach
6/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
June 12, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - Head swimming and diving coach Jeanne Fleck announced the hiring of Ryan Purdy as assistant coach. Purdy has spent the last two season's as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Minnesota.
"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to serve as the Assistant Swim Coach of the Fresno State University Women's Swimming and Diving Team," said Purdy.
Purdy is pursuing his Master's of Education in Applied Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Minnesota. A native of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, Purdy graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2005 with a B.F.A. in Art Education.
In 2008, Purdy helped the Golden Gophers win the Big Ten Championship and place 13th at the NCCA Championship Meet. The 13th place finish tied for the 2nd highest finish in University of Minnesota Women's Swimming and Diving history. During his time at Minnesota, Purdy had the opportunity to assist in the coaching of Christine Jennings who represented the United States at the 2008 World Open Water Championships.
In addition, he worked with Jillian Tyler who will represent Canada in the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
"I'm so excited," said Fleck. "He has such good college experience. Ryan knows many coaches in California and he is a workaholic. This is a great addition to our program."
In 2006 to 2007, Purdy was the Associate Senior Director/Coach with the Mission Viejo Nadadores, Mission Viejo, California, under Head Coach Bill Rose. At Mission Viejo, he was the primary coach for numerous Senior Sectional Qualifiers and was selected as a coach for the Southern California Swimming All-Star Team that won the 2006 Western Zone Championship meet in Fresno, CA.
Prior to heading to Minneapolis (2002 to 2005), Purdy served as the Senior Coach of the North Shore Swim Club in Duluth, Minnesota. In addition, he was Head Coach of the High School Girl's Swim Team at Two Harbors High School, Two Harbors, Minnesota and the Assistant Coach for the Boy's and Girl's Swimming and Diving Team at Superior Senior High School, Superior, Wisconsin.
"Working with Head Coach Jeanne Fleck and assisting in the building of the Fresno State Swimming program is going to be an extremely exciting experience," added Purdy. "This is an outstanding opportunity to help the Bulldog team become a major competitive factor in the WAC Conference."
