Western Connecticut State to Drop Men’s and Women’s Swimming

Photo Courtesy: Competitor

Western Connecticut State to Drop Men’s and Women’s Swimming

Western Connecticut State is dropping men’s and women’s swimming and diving, effective immediately.

The decision was announced on April 12 and is effective at the end of the 2024 academic year.

“One area of resounding success throughout this review has been athletics, and that success is attributable to them being dynamic, agile, and responsive to student athletes’ needs and broader higher education trends,” university president Manohar Singh said in a press release. “Athletics has gone through thorough multiple reviews of its programs over the past seven years. Results of the most recent reviews made it evident that at this moment we will not be able to continue men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams going forward.”

NCAA Division III Swimming

The school will continue “providing support” to student-athletes through the transition process, the university said. The decision affects 11 student-athletes and up to eight more still enrolled in the university.

The Wolves’ women’s team went 1-11 in dual meets last year and finished ninth in the 10-team Little East Conference Championships. The men went 6-4 and were last of five teams at the conference meet. Western Connecticut State competes in Division III.

“This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the impact it will have on students and their families, alumni of our teams, and our coaches,” Athletic Director Lori Mazza said. “While we will all feel a sense of loss, I want to emphasize that it is a step forward in coming out stronger. The student-athlete’s contributions, not just in the pool but in the classrooms, labs, and in the community, are celebrated as valued members of our community. Our top priority right now is to provide support to each affected student.”

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