Sweet Briar College announced today that it will bring back head coach Donna Hodgert to head its swimming & diving programs, an announcement that also served as the first official confirmation the swimming & diving program would be brought back at all.
Sweet Briar, an all-women’s, Division III school in Sweet Briar, Virginia, announced this spring that it would be closing its doors entirely, with all degree programs and athletic teams ending their runs.
But last month, the school announced that its financial standing had improved dramatically, thanks in large part to a huge donation from a group called “Saving Sweet Briar,” and that the school would stay open. Still the future of the school’s 6 athletic programs (known as the “Sweet Briar Vixens”) remained in doubt.
By that point, Sweet Briar coach Donna Hodgert had already landed a new job, as the head coach at Ferrum College.
But a post on the Vixen Athletics Facebook page today welcomes Hodgert back, and the coach confirmed to SwimSwam that she will be returning to Sweet Briar, which is also her alma mater.
Hodgert said several of her former swimmers have already committed to return to Sweet Briar and compete, but she says she’s aware that recruiting a full roster by this coming fall will be a major challenge.
“I face the recruiting challenge of a lifetime,” she told SwimSwam, “but I love challenges.”
Hodgert also expressed her thanks to Ferrum College for understanding her desire to return to her former coaching home and alma mater in Sweet Briar.
To replace Hodgert, Ferrum has tabbed Virginia Tech grad Margaret Parcell, who just wrapped up her college career with the H2Okies after multiple ACC finals appearances.
Wonderful piece. One correction: Sweet Briar is not an “all-girls” school, it’s a women’s college.
Holla! Holla! Welcome back SBC! Hollins swimmers look forward to the dual meet this year!