Towson University has extended the contract of head swimming and diving coach Pat Mead through the 2009-10 season, it has been announced by Director of Athletics Mike Hermann.

“Pat has really answered the call when the women’s swimming and diving program was prioritized by the University a few years ago,” says Hermann. “With a very young team, the program is now near the top of the Colonial Athletic Association. Plus, Pat is always looking for opportunities to enhance the student-athlete experience for the men’s and women’s teams.”

Currently in his 10th season as the Tigers’ coach, Mead has led the women’s swimming and diving team to an 85-34 record, including an 11-1 mark this season. Honored as the 2005 CAA Women’s Coach of the Year, Mead led the Tigers to a second place finish at the 2004-05 CAA Championships and a third place finish last year.

As the Tiger men’s coach, he has led the team to a 64-50 record in his 10-year tenure. He led the Tigers to a second place finish at the AMERICA EAST Championships in 2000-01 and a fourth place effort at the 2003-04 CAA Championships.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to lead the swimming and diving programs at Towson,” Mead says. “Towson is a great place to work and [Tigers’ Diving Coach] Maureen [Mead] and I have made it our home. Our team has gone through some growing pains in the past few years and it is great to know that Mike Hermann has confidence in the coaching staff’s abilities to lead the team to a CAA Championship.”

A 1992 graduate of the University of Delaware, Mead is just the second coach in the 32-year history of the Tiger men’s program. He is the seventh coach in Towson women’s swimming history.