One of the most successful eras in Blugold swimming history was the period from 1985-89 when Coach Tom Prior's juggernaut won four consecutive WSUC championships and placed among the top four teams at four consecutive NAIA nationals including a runner-up finish in 1988. Leading the way was three-time team MVP Pat Anderson.

Anderson won the gold medal in the 200 individual medley at the 1989 NAIA finals. He had also been a member of the 800 freestyle relay team which claimed a gold in 1987. In addition to those national championships, Anderson had 13 other finishes (individual and relay) among the top three at nationals. He personally contributed 238 team points in conference meets and 262.5 in the four national meets including 90 as a senior. He was the team MVP in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

Anderson was a six-time conference individual champion, twice winning the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly and the 200 individual medley. In addition, he swam on nine first-place relay teams. In national competition, he was an All-American more than 20 times. He set school records in the 200 individual medley and as a member of the 400 freestyle relay and 800 freestyle relay teams.

Since leaving Eau Claire, Anderson has coached swim clubs, high school teams and college teams. These have included the Rochester Swim Club, Bloomington Aquatics Club, Barracuda Aquatics Club and the Marlins Swim Club. He has coached the Rochester Mayo girls, the Shakopee girls, the Moorhead girls and boys and the Fargo (ND) South boys.

He currently is the head coach of the Fargo South boys team as well as the Moorhead girls team. Since 2002, he has been the diving coach for Concordia College and in 2006 coached Division III national champion Anne Cullen. Luke Pechmann, who trained with Anderson while swimming for the Moorhead Marlins' swim club, qualified for the 2008 Olympic trials in the 50-yard freestyle. Anderson has had a number of state champions at the high school level as well as conference champions and national qualifiers at the college level.

He also is Team Minnesota Head Coach, directing an All Star Team in the Central Zone Championships.

A Minneapolis native, Anderson has three children-Blake Otto, age 17; Beau Andrew John, age 13; and Breah Le, age 11.

Return to Hall of Fame