July 3, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State gymnastics head coach Tom Farden has accepted a three-year contract extension from Athletic Director Don Kaverman to continue leading the program through the 2011 season. Farden just completed his sixth season at the helm of the gymnastics program.

In the last three seasons, Farden has led his team to a berth in two NCAA South Central Regional Championships (2006, 2008) and finished the 2008 season with a rank of No.30. Two of the more impressive wins came at the beginning of the season as they defeated No.18 Kentucky and at the NCAA South Central Regional as they defeated No.16 Arizona State.

Farden has also been named the Midwest Independent Conference Coach of the Year (2006, 2007, 2008), NCAA South Central Region Coach of the Year (2008) and was one of only four coaches in the nation to be nominated as the NCAA National Coach of the Year.

Farden stresses a strong educational performance along with his team's gymnastics prowess. The Redhawks were named by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W) as the 2007 National Academic Champions and stand to defend their title this season after increasing their team G.P.A. again this season to an unbelievable 3.81.

"I am very happy to have the opportunity to continue coaching here at Southeast," said Farden. "I am really looking forward to taking this program to an even higher level."

Coach Farden is a graduate of Southeast and is originally from Dayton, Minn. He and his wife, Christina, enjoy traveling and partaking in events such as hiking, camping, whitewater kayaking and mountaineering. Farden is currently a competitive cyclist and has completee many marathons and triathlons.