Matt Hood enters his third year as the Director of Swimming for the Chowan Swimming Program.
During the 2017-18 season, Hood led the Hawks to a third place finish at the inaugural Conference Carolinas Women’s Swimming Championships. Julia Chmielewska and Kjahna O were named individual champions as the team took home 13 total podium finishes. Six swimmers earned All-Conference honors.
In 2016-17, the Hawks finished their inaugural season of competition ninth at the Bluegrass Mountain Conference Championships. Chowan finished the season unbeaten at home with a 6-0 record.
Prior to Chowan, Hood spent the last four years with Lehigh Valley Aquatics in Bethlehem, Pa. After serving as an assistant coaching for a USA Club team, Hood was promoted to head coach and grew the team from a low of 44 swimmers to over 70 in less than one year.Â
Under Hood's direction, the club team had multiple high school PIAA State qualifiers in both AA and AAA divisions and has seen all of the team's high school seniors advance to swim at the college level.
Hood managed a group of over 70 swimmers ages 6-18 during his time with Lehigh Valley Aquatics. He created their competition schedule, led them through individually planned practices and also managed the team's financial records in conjunction with the Lehigh Valley Aquatics board.
Hood competed as a student-athlete at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. During his time at Asbury, Hood won the NAIA National Championship in the 200 freestyle and finished runner-up in the 500 freestyle. He held school records in all freestyle events while serving as team captain. He gained coaching experience through practicums with Highbridge Aquatics and the Kettering City swim team. Hood also served as head coach of the Cardinal Hill swim team.
 He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sport Management from Asbury in 2011. Hood resides in Murfreesboro with his wife, Allie.
