Liberty University today announced that it will be adding a men’s swimming team to its roster of club sports, beginning in the fall of 2017 and coinciding with the planned opening of a brand new aquatics center that will be among the nicest in the state of Virginia.
The new team will take part in competitions governed by the American Swimming Association, and plans to compete against other club teams from both Atlantic Coast Conference and Colonial Athletic Association schools.
Last season, Ohio State won the collegiate club national championship, and Florida and Colorado (which does not offer varsity swimming) are frequently among the top finishers.
The Flames already have a women’s varsity team, which under head coach Jake Shellenberger finished 2nd at last year’s Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) championships in February.
While there are no indications that the school plans to upgrade this new team to varsity status anytime soon, club sports are a huge deal at Liberty, and coaches are expected to actively recruit athletes. Liberty’s press release specifically mentioned how the new club team will complement the school’s triathlon club team, which will train in the same new pool.
With this addition, male swimmers looking at colleges in Virginia will have at least two new options if they want to continue their swimming career, as the Division III Virginia Wesleyan College announced a couple months ago that they will be adding both men’s and women’s swimming for the 2017-2018 season.
Ohio state does not have a men’s NCAA team? Argh that is terrible.
That assumption is incorrect. Many schools have BOTH a varsity team and a club team. The article notes that Colorado has a strong club team and no varsity team. That’s not the case for OSU.
Good to hear, collegiate club swimming is an exciting and fun outlet for swimmers to continue their athletic career. It’s too bad that the only “league” is through the ASA. I recall trying to start my university’s club team back in 2007 and there was hardly any support or communication on behalf of the ASA (then ASA U). Fortunately the University of Colorado helped get our program up and running. It’s a shame how that particular team has been treated by the ASA…
Do you care to elaborate about this poor treatment? Or would you rather throw out an unsupported, vague accusation?