Division I men’s swimming and diving and women’s swimming and diving have seen more programs been added than cut in the last year. The men’s side has gained three programs (two swimming-only), while the women’s side has gained four (three swimming-only).
The addition of swimming and diving programs at the Division I level comes after a time when COVID-19 saw many programs cut. Some of those included Michigan State (men and women), Iowa (men, women reinstated), UConn (men only), and Boise State (women only, had no men’s program at the time).
Division I also sees a different trend compared to other Divisions in recent years. Specifically, 2023 was a tough year for the sport in New York as at least programs were lost, with only one (St. Francis, Brooklyn) competing at the Division I level. Division II Concordia University-Irvine cut it’s men’s and women’s programs earlier this year but just last month was ordered to reinstate its women’s swimming and diving program.
Men’s Programs Added
- Stonehill (swim and dive, 2026-2027)
- St. Mary’s College (swim, 2026-2027)
- Northern Kentucky (swim, 2024-2025)
Men’s Programs Cut
- Cal Poly (swim and dive, end of 2024-2025 season)
Women’s Programs Added
- UTRGV (swim and dive, 2024-2025)
- Marquette (swim, 2026-2027)
- St. Mary’s College (swim, 2026-2027)
- Northern Kentucky (swim, 2024-2025)
Women’s Programs Cut
- Cal Poly (swim and dive, end of 2024-2025 season)
Other Recent Year’s Adds/Cuts
- Loyola Marymount, Women’s Swimming and Diving, Cut After 2023-2024
- Lindenwood, Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Cut after 2023-2024
- University of Southern Indiana, Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Added For 2022-2023
- Nebraska-Omaha, Men’s Swimming and Diving, Added for 2021-2022
If I missed any, please kindly let me know in the comments. Recent adds/cuts attempts to go as far back without seeing the COVID effect.
Crazy how NJIT still only has a men’s team. No way they are Title IX compliant with how many men’s sports and lack of women’s sports they have
The gender breakdown of NJIT is 75% male and 25% female. So they are probably right on in term of offering proportional opportunities based on the content of their student body.
Bring back Michigan State and Iowa + UCLA Men
It’s astounding how Manhattan College hasn’t dropped swimming yet compared to these other teams.
But what about the total athlete count?
That’s great, but I would also like to see programs added at the Power 4 level, as none in those conferences were added. But that’s just a pipe dream at this point.
Honestly. Maryland especially is ridiculous. UCLA, Illinois and Rutgers having only a women’s team is absolutely ridiculous. Oklahoma and Oklahoma state could recruit heavily from North Texas, and they have some money. Sparty has a host of problems, but they could potentially build a new aquatic center and step back into B1G swimming.
I was told Maryland teased adding a team maybe ~10 years ago. A friend of a friend who attended the school was supposedly asked if she would join the team if they added it.
I’m surprised Oregon doesn’t have a program. Nike isn’t big in the swim space right now, but they made attempts 10+ years ago.
Oregon also already has a 10 lane rec pool with a diving board. Not ideal, but over the bare minimum. Colorado is another one, although probably more widely known. They have an 8-lane pool with blocks, and a separate diving well with both boards in a swim/dive stronghold of a state.
CU is busy buying the best 1-6 football team in the country!
They only cut the teams 14yrs ago correct?
Agree that it is ridiculous for the NJ state school ( Rutgers) not to have a men’s team, when at the last Olympics, NJ had 6 men on the team!
Ole Miss no men or women’s team. Oxford would be very recruitable.
Ole Miss even has a long course pool with spectator seating. All the facility is missing is platform diving