PHOENIX, Arizona, February 17. GRAND Canyon University, a Division II school located in the heart of Phoenix, Ariz., has announced the start of both men's and women's swimming programs beginning in the Fall of 2007.
GCU, founded in 1949, is a private, non-denominational Christian university with a history of strong athletics and a reputation for challenging academics.
While many of the athletics directors at the Division I level just cannot get it through their skulls that swimming and diving is a healthy endeavor that should be part of any sports department, the sport is making some serious headway at the Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA levels. Perhaps those in charge of these universities do not see collegiate athletics as a business venture, but as an integral part of higher education they were intended to be.
Congratulations to Grand Canyon University for taking the steps to add another healthy alternative to their athletics program.