Sweeney Receives 2-Year Contract Extension
Aug 29, 2019 | Rowing
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State Director of Athletics Gene Taylor announced a 2-year contract extension for 18th-year women's rowing head coach Patrick Sweeney through the 2022-23 season on Thursday afternoon (August 29).
"All three of these head coaches are tremendous representatives of K-State and have their programs trending upward," said Taylor who also announced extensions for women's soccer head coach Mike Dibbini and men's golf head coach Grant Robbins. "Coach (Grant) Robbins and the men's golf team are coming off a terrific year and in good position for another this season, while Coach (Mike) Dibbini and his staff are starting to build some momentum following the opening of Buser Family Park and several solid recruiting classes, and Coach (Patrick) Sweeney continues to put together a competitive rowing team each and every year. And even more importantly, all three of these programs are led by head coaches who emphasize success not only in competition, but also in the classroom and being role models in the Manhattan community."
One of the longest-tenured head coaches at K-State, Sweeney has more than 40 years of international and collegiate coaching experience, including stints with the British and Belgian Olympic teams.
Inspired after the tragic loss of senior coxswain Samantha Scott, who passed away on October 27, 2018, the Wildcats assembled an impressive 2019 campaign on the water, as the team finished third among Big 12 affiliated schools at the Big 12 Championship, where two boats brought home medals. K-State also swept the Sunflower Showdown against rival Kansas, winning each of the five races to outscore the Jayhawks 22-0, won five medals at the SIRA Championships and four medals at the Sunshine State Invitational during the spring race season. For their response to the passing of Scott, the team was named the 2018-19 Big 12 Sportspersons of the Year.
In addition to their outstanding efforts on the water, the team excelled in the classroom and in the community. The team charted 414 hours of community service, including work with Cats in the Classroom, Cats for Cans, Tip Off for TP and National Girls and Women in Sports day, among others. Academically, the Wildcats continued their excellence by placing 25 individuals on the Academic All-Big 12 team, while senior Molly Ross was awarded Big 12 Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Academic excellence has been a hallmark of Sweeney's tenure, as 108 student-athletes have earned the CRCA National Scholar-Athlete Award since 2006 to go along with 211 Academic All-Big 12 selections since 2011. Fifteen student-athletes have received the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award, the Big 12's highest academic honor, since 2011, including 2019 recipients Nikole Cain and Kaylin Edwards.
"I would like to thank (Director of Athletics) Gene (Taylor) and (Executive Associate AD) Lindsey (Babcock) for their continued investment in the program," said Sweeney. "The dedication of the coaching staff and of all the support services surrounding the rowing team continue to elevate the student-athlete experience and competitive performance each year. In my time here, I am proud to see how the department has continued to meet the needs of our rowing team and provide our student-athletes with every possible opportunity to grow as both students and young adults. Ultimately, the athletes I have worked with in the past, the present and the future is what makes this job enjoyable. I'm looking forward to more years with this program."
"All three of these head coaches are tremendous representatives of K-State and have their programs trending upward," said Taylor who also announced extensions for women's soccer head coach Mike Dibbini and men's golf head coach Grant Robbins. "Coach (Grant) Robbins and the men's golf team are coming off a terrific year and in good position for another this season, while Coach (Mike) Dibbini and his staff are starting to build some momentum following the opening of Buser Family Park and several solid recruiting classes, and Coach (Patrick) Sweeney continues to put together a competitive rowing team each and every year. And even more importantly, all three of these programs are led by head coaches who emphasize success not only in competition, but also in the classroom and being role models in the Manhattan community."
One of the longest-tenured head coaches at K-State, Sweeney has more than 40 years of international and collegiate coaching experience, including stints with the British and Belgian Olympic teams.
Inspired after the tragic loss of senior coxswain Samantha Scott, who passed away on October 27, 2018, the Wildcats assembled an impressive 2019 campaign on the water, as the team finished third among Big 12 affiliated schools at the Big 12 Championship, where two boats brought home medals. K-State also swept the Sunflower Showdown against rival Kansas, winning each of the five races to outscore the Jayhawks 22-0, won five medals at the SIRA Championships and four medals at the Sunshine State Invitational during the spring race season. For their response to the passing of Scott, the team was named the 2018-19 Big 12 Sportspersons of the Year.
In addition to their outstanding efforts on the water, the team excelled in the classroom and in the community. The team charted 414 hours of community service, including work with Cats in the Classroom, Cats for Cans, Tip Off for TP and National Girls and Women in Sports day, among others. Academically, the Wildcats continued their excellence by placing 25 individuals on the Academic All-Big 12 team, while senior Molly Ross was awarded Big 12 Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Academic excellence has been a hallmark of Sweeney's tenure, as 108 student-athletes have earned the CRCA National Scholar-Athlete Award since 2006 to go along with 211 Academic All-Big 12 selections since 2011. Fifteen student-athletes have received the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award, the Big 12's highest academic honor, since 2011, including 2019 recipients Nikole Cain and Kaylin Edwards.
"I would like to thank (Director of Athletics) Gene (Taylor) and (Executive Associate AD) Lindsey (Babcock) for their continued investment in the program," said Sweeney. "The dedication of the coaching staff and of all the support services surrounding the rowing team continue to elevate the student-athlete experience and competitive performance each year. In my time here, I am proud to see how the department has continued to meet the needs of our rowing team and provide our student-athletes with every possible opportunity to grow as both students and young adults. Ultimately, the athletes I have worked with in the past, the present and the future is what makes this job enjoyable. I'm looking forward to more years with this program."
Players Mentioned
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