FERRUM – Ferrum College’s men’s and women’s swimming teams have been accepted for membership in the NCAA Division III Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), the league announced Thursday.
The Panthers men’s and women’s teams, led by first-year head coach Margaret Parcell, begin competition as a conference member this season.
“I’m so excited to hear of our acceptance into the ODAC for swimming,’’ Parcell said in a statement prepared by the college.“Our team has been anticipating an answer and we are elated to hear the news.
“Being an associate member of the ODAC will open a door for us to compete with some of the best NCAA Division III school around, and we hope to contribute to the ODAC’s outstanding legacyin both academics and athletics,’’ Parcell said.
Ferrum is the ODAC’s fourth associate member: Greensboro (N.C.) College and Notre Dame of Maryland University were added in swimming prior to the 2011-12 season and Catholic (D.C.) University of America has been a league member for football since 1999.
“We are pleased to welcome Ferrum College into the ODAC’s swimming ranks,’’ ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston said in the statement from the league office in Forest. “Our membership has been intently focused on supporting and improving collegiate swimming in the ODAC and Division III.
“The addition of Ferrum’s program enhances our growing sponsorship numbers in men’s swimming, while providing solid competition in both the men’s and women’s championship competition. With additional schools exploring the sport, I see a great future for ODAC swimming in the coming years,’’ Bankston said.
Ferrum fields teams in 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division III levels. All of its sports except for men’s and women’s wrestling, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s lacrosse and field hockey compete in the USA South Athletic Conference.
“It’s a privilege for Ferrum College to partner with the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC),’’ said Dr. Jennifer Braaten, college president, in the statement from the conference. “It is our mutal belief that intercollegiate athletics are an integral part of the college experience. We share in a mission to provide enriching programs that reinforce the academic success and athletic excellence of student-athletes.
“With approximately one-half of Ferrum College’s students involved in athletics, we fully share with the ODAC the ideals of integrity, teamwork, sportsmanship, self-confidence and leadership that enliven and enrich student life,’’ Braaten said.
The Panthers are a frequent competitor for ODAC schools in all of its sports because Ferrum enjoys a close proxmity to several institutions in the league.
Ferrum holds its home swimming meets on campus at the William P. Swartz Gymnasium pool.
Ferrum opens its 2015-16 season Wednesday, Oct. 21with a home women’s meet against ODAC rival Sweet Briar College.
The Panthers’ men’s squad opens Nov. 7 against Gallaudet (D.C.) University in Roanoke. On that same day, Ferrum’s women’s team competes against Gallaudet and ODAC foe Hollins University.
Swimming news courtesy of Ferrum College Swimming.
