Sept. 2, 2008

LAS VEGAS - University of Arizona Swimming and Diving Head Coach Frank Busch is to be inducted into the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) Hall of Fame on Friday evening in Las Vegas, Nev.

Busch, who led the Wildcats to its first ever swimming and diving national championships for both men and women in 2008, is currently in his 20th season as head coach for Arizona.

Busch's 2008 campaign was capped by a successful Olympic experience. He was named an assistant coach for the United States swim team, where a total of 15 of his current or former swimmers represented seven different nations.

Some criteria to be inducted into the ASCA Hall of Fame includes coaching on the high school, club or college level for more than 20 years, the coaching of a USA Olympic medalist, placing a team in the top 10 of Division 1 nationals and to have made a significant contribution to the sport of swimming.

"It's a great honor to be inducted into the ASCA Hall of Fame," said Busch. "I've been blessed to have the opportunity to work with a number of great individuals in my swimming career."

Coach Busch is a six-time NCAA Coach of the Year, a 10-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, a two-time USA Olympic Coach and a three-time World Championships Coach.

The Cats open its 2008 title defense on Oct. 31 when it hosts Wisconsin at the newly renovated Hillenbrand Aquatic Center. Events begin at 2 p.m. PDT.