June 29, 2005

DAVIS, Calif. - Former Olympian Andy Bloom, a member of the UC Davis Athletics coaching staff since 2000 has been named the program's first full-time strength and conditioning coach, it was announced by Associate Director of Athletics Bob Bullis on Wednesday.

Bloom has served in the position on a part-time basis since 2002 and will continue to assist all 26 varsity sports. He joined the Aggie program in 2000 as an assistant track and field coach, working with UC Davis throwers, and continued in that role until last year. Prior to coming to UC Davis, Bloom was an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee.

Bloom enjoyed a decorated track and field career, highlighting it with a fourth-place finish in the shot put at the Sydney Games in 2000. Bloom, who qualified for last year's U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Sacramento in the discus, is a two-time U.S. Indoor champion in the shot put, finished first in the event at the 2000 World Grand Prix and 1999 World University Games, placed fourth in the shot put at the 1999 World Championships, and has participated in the both the World Indoor Championships and Goodwill Games.

Bloom graduated from Wake Forest University in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, earning his masters in secondary education in 1998. He was a 10-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion in throwing events, capping his collegiate career by winning NCAA Division I titles in 1996 in both the shot put and discus. Bloom, an alternate on the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, was also a two-time Academic All-America selection.

"Andy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the program and we are delighted to have the opportunity for him to continue as a member of our coaching staff," said Bullis.

Bloom begins his full-time duties on Friday.