San Jose State Hires Mark Butcher as Diving Coach

SAN JOSE, California, June 18. SAN Jose State University has named Mark Butcher as its new diving coach, as announced by Sage Hopkins, who will be in his sixth season in charge of the Spartan women's swimming and diving program in 2010-11.

Butcher comes to San Jose State from nearby Santa Clara Diving Club, where he has served since July of 2007 as the head coach and program director. There, Butcher coached multiple Junior and Senior Nationals qualifiers and finalists, including one national champion, and doubled athlete enrollment. He was the president of the Northern California Diving Association from 2009-10.

"We're thrilled to have Mark Butcher come aboard as our diving coach at San Jose State," remarked Hopkins. "He has a tremendous track record and a tremendous resume. He's the head coach and director of Santa Clara Diving Club, one of the top programs in the country. He is very well-connected in the local area, and nationally, which will help a great deal in our recruiting. He's done just a marvelous job already in the short time that he's been with us."

"I am very honored and pleased to be joining such a forward-thinking and progressive program," said Butcher of his appointment. "I hope to make a positive contribution through my 13 years of coaching experience. My goals for the program are aggressive, and I plan to help make diving an integral part of every Spartan victory."

Previously, Butcher was the head coach and program director at Dive Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Okla., from 2005-07. He directed the club team to a fifth-place finish at the 2006 Spring West National Championships, coaching numerous Junior Nationals qualifiers and finalists, and one Senior Nationals finalist. Butcher represented the Oklahoma Diving Association at the USA Diving Convention.

Also from 2005-07, Butcher was the head diving coach at Westmoore High School and Putnam City High School, both in Oklahoma City, coaching three NISCA All-Americans and three state champions, including current Spartan Amy Kilby at Putnam City North. From 2001-05, he was a head satellite coach and program coordinator at Indianapolis Starz Diving Club. He created an elite travel program and produced 23 spring and summer national qualifiers.

Earlier posts included head diving coach at North Central High School in Indianapolis, Ind., also from 2001-05, where he guided five NISCA All-Americans, one IHSAA state champion and record-holder, and 11 state qualifiers and finalists. Butcher was the head coach and owner of Crown Point Diving Club in Crown Point, Ind., from 1997-2001, starting the business at the age of 20, producing five national qualifiers and being recruited to move to Indianapolis to work with the Starz Diving Club as the first in their satellite concept.

Butcher attended Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, Ind., from 1997-2000. He also went to Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind., in 1996-97, where he was a starting pitcher as a freshman on the varsity baseball team.

Butcher accompanied Kilby to her first NCAA Zone E Diving Meet in Austin, Texas, this past March, as the Spartans' interim diving coach at the time. Kilby will join Jessica Holden, a Zone E qualifier as a freshman herself in 2009, on the 2010-11 roster. Holden missed a large chunk of this past season, and will attempt to get the year back medically and compete as a redshirt sophomore beginning in the fall.

Butcher replaces Brian Tanner as the Spartan diving coach after three years. He joins Hopkins and fifth-year assistant coach Chris Michelmore on the 2010-11 staff. San Jose State is coming off of a program-best third-place finish at the 2010 Western Athletic Conference Championship.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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