Southern Connecticut State University Athletics

Well-versed in the landscape of Connecticut swimming, Matt Hurst is now in his ninth season as assistant men’s and women’s swimming coach at Southern Connecticut State University, where he also serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator.

Over the course of the past eight years, Hurst has mentored 84 All-America selections and seven NCAA Division II National Champions. He has also helped the Owls’ women’s squad post their highest finish ever at the NCAA Championships. The two programs have also combined to win 13 Northeast-10 Conference titles during his time with the Owls.
 
Hurst’s swimmers have enjoyed tremendous success at both the club and collegiate levels. As a coach of the SoNoCo Club program, he has guided one U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, three U.S. Nationals qualifiers and two U.S. Junior Nationals qualifiers. The Junior Nationals performers recorded one top eight finish, two top-24 finishes and two selections to the USA Select Swimming camp. In addition, his team posted a second place finish at Eastern Sectionals, with two individuals capturing event victories. Furthermore, both the boys’ and girls’ squads registered top three finishes at the Connecticut Seniors Championships.

Hurst rejoined the Owls after spending the 2006-07 academic year as an assistant coach at Wesleyan University. In his position at Wesleyan, Hurst worked with the team’s sprinters and breaststrokers. He also led the team’s strength and conditioning and dryland programs. During his time at Wesleyan, Hurst coached two All-Americans and one Academic All-American.

Since coming back to his alma mater, Hurst has played a key role in the program’s continued development. He also gained additional experience in the summer of the 2009 when he served as an assistant coach with the Dominican Republic team at the World Championships in Rome.

Hurst also has significant coaching experience outside of the collegiate ranks, As a senior coach with the SoNoCo Swim Club, he has guided three U.S. Olympic Trials qualifiers, four U.S. Nationals qualifiers and three U.S. Junior Nationals qualifiers. Two of these athletes were selections to the USA Swimming Select Swimming camp in Colorado Springs.

Prior to SoNoCo Hurst spent two years as the Assistant National Team Coach with Upper Main Line YMCA (Pa.), and helped that squad to a second place finish at the 2006 YMCA National Meet.

Hurst was a decorated student-athlete at SCSU during his collegiate career.

A two-year captain,11-time All-American, and 3-time Academic All-American Hurst helped the Owls win a combined seven conference championships as a team. In addition, he holds a share of two school records with SCSU relay teams.

Hurst resides in Cheshire, Conn. with his wife, former SCSU women’s soccer standout Theresa Viscardi.