Wisconsin head men's and women's swimming coach Eric Hansen was recently appointed the head men's coach for the United States national team at the upcoming World Short Course Swimming Championships. The event will be held April 5-9 in Shanghai, China.

"We are extremely excited and proud that Eric has been offered the opportunity to coach our country's finest athletes," Terry Gawlik, Wisconsin assistant athletic director, said. "It is an attribute to his hard work and dedication to the sport."

The selection marks the third time in four years Hansen has been named head coach of a U.S. National Team. In 2002, he led the same Men's Short Course World Championship team in Moscow to five gold medals and two world records. Most recently, Hansen guided the U.S. National Team at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to eight gold medals.

Hansen, a member of the U.S. national team from 1987-92, is in his seventh year as Wisconsin's Head Coach. Hansen has led the women's program to six Top 20 finishes at the NCAA championships and has revitalized the men's program, taking it from 33rd in the nation to five consecutive Top 20 finishes. Hansen mentored 2004 Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Carly Piper and 2004 Olympian Adam Mania, and led both Piper and Tim Liebhold to national championships this past year.