UMBC

Bio

	Chad Cradock
	Position: Head Swim Coach Alma Mater: UMBC, '97

Entering his inaugural season as head coach, Chad Cradock has inherited a team and program that knows all about success; four straight ECAC titles on the men's side, two out of the last three NEC titles on the women's side. "My transition into head coach has been very smooth. All of the athletes have known me for a while so it was an easy adjustment. I feel like this team has not skipped a beat and can be just as successful as the teams of the past," said an undaunted Cradock. The first year head coach does know a considerable amount about the program, especially considering he was an assistant for three years and is one of the school's most decorated swimmers. In fact, he still holds the Retriever record in both the 500 free and the 1650 free. Not to mention his work as head coach of the UMBC Aquatic Club in 2000. "I feel right at home here [at UMBC]. I have a lot of genuine support. It's a great feeling of family," commented the coach. Throughout his collegiate career at UMBC, Cradock was a standout athlete in the pool. His senior season, he captured gold in the 200, 500 and 1650 free events at the ECACs in Gloucester, New Jersey. He was also named the Matt Skalsky Outstanding Scholar Athlete in 1997 while earning a degree in psychology. Following his graduation, the Barrie, Ontario, Canada native led the UMBC Masters team to the 1998 YMCA short course national championship. Before arriving to coach the Masters team, Cradock was the Assistant Director at Camp Chikopi where he coached alongside Olympic coaches. He currently resides in Odenton, Maryland with his wife Christie and their dog Riley.