Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Matthew Baker was a four-year member of the AU swimming & diving team and four-time NCAA All-America Honorable Mention in the 100 backstroke (2007, 2008 and 2009) and the 200 backstroke (2009). He is a two-time Empire 8 Swimmer of the Year (2006-07 and 2008-09) and 23-time Empire 8 Champion, including 13 relays and 10 individual events. Baker was named the Empire 8 Swimmer of the Meet in 2007 while aiding the Saxons to their first of three consecutive UNYSCSA Championships. Over the course of his career he won 54 individual events and 42 relay events during dual meets.
Baker participated in the NCAA Division III National Championship meet in 2007, 2008 and 2009. During the 2007 meet he finished 14th in the 100 backstroke to earn his first career All-America Honorable Mention recognition. He continued on to finish ninth in the 100 backstroke in 2008 before placing 13th in the 100 back and 16th in the 200 back in 2009.
Historically, Baker still holds three AU school records in the 400 medley relay (3:32.30) with Agro, Mix and Andrew Brisson; the 200 medley relay (1:32.34) with Brian, Zach and twin brother Mark Baker; and the 100 backstroke (50.46) – a feat he completed at the NCAA Division III National Championships.
Outside of the pool, Matt graduated cum laude with a degree in chemistry before going on to earn his Ph. D in chemistry from Penn State University. At honors convocation in 2009, he was honored with the American Chemical Society College Student Award, the American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award and the ECAC Merit Medal. He was also a three-time UNYSCSA All-Academic selection and four-time Collegiate Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American.
“One of my biggest thrills was senior year making an A-cut in the 100 backstroke at the RIT invitational,” remarked Baker. “It took the pressure off of the rest of the season and allowed me to enjoy living in the moment versus worrying about what the end of the season would look like.”
Matthew Baker is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the State University of New York at Oswego.
Back To Hall of Fame
