Matthew Swett '05 Named Head Coach of Men's Track & Field

WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester State University Director of Athletics Michael Mudd announced on Tuesday that Matthew Swett '05 has been named the new head coach of men's indoor and outdoor track and field.

"I am excited to promote Matthew Swett to lead the men's indoor and outdoor track teams," said Mudd. "Matt was an outstanding student-athlete at Worcester State University and has been an integral member of former coach Al Halper's staff since graduating from Worcester State. I am confident Matt will do an outstanding job in developing our student-athletes on and off the track."

The hiring is announced just as the university prepares to honor the 50th anniversary of track and field at Worcester State. A special celebration of the anniversary is planned as part of this weekend's Homecoming and Family Day festivities.

Last season, Swett assisted the men's track & field program as they won back-to-back indoor and outdoor MASCAC championships, and also their first MASCAC/Little East Alliance title. In the distinguished year for the Lancers, Swett coached the NCAA Division III high jump National Champion, All-American honoree, All New England high jumper, and MASCAC/Alliance champion, Justin Lewis. He also guided MASCAC pole vault champion and Worcester State pole vault record holder Scott Page during the 2016-17 season.

During the 2013-14 campaign, Coach Swett was recognized by the USTFCCCA as the New England Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year, while a male and a female student-athlete both earned All-American accolades in the hurdles under his watch during the season. He also helped coach Worcester State's first male NCAA Division III National Champion at the 2012-13 indoor national meet.

Coach Swett is a former Worcester State standout athlete who still holds the school record in the pentathlon.

Among his other accomplishments, Coach Swett was the runner-up in the pentathlon at the Division III New England Indoor Championships during the 2004-05 season while he was also a New England Alliance Champion in the 2002-03 indoor campaign in the high jump.

In the 2003 outdoor season, Coach Swett was MASCAC Champion in both the high jump and pole vault while he placed fifth in the decathlon at both the Division III Outdoor and Division III ECAC Championships.

As a junior, Swett also earned Open New England accolades for a runner-up finish in the decathlon 2004.

En route to earning the distinction of being honored the Senior Male Athlete of the Year, Coach Swett sprinted to Division III New England honors in the 110 meter hurdles and he was MASCAC Champion in the outdoor high jump.

"I would like to thank Michael Mudd for giving me this great opportunity as head coach of the men's track and field program for the upcoming indoor and outdoor seasons," said Swett. "It is an honor to be added to list of the distinguished and successful head coaches who have developed this great program before me. WSU athletics has been a part of my life for the last 18 years. I enjoyed four years as a student athlete, and continued my love and growth for the sport, and the university, as an assistant coach for the past 14 years. I look forward to continuing the success that my coach and mentor, Al Halper, has created over the past 20 years."