RIVERDALE, New York, July 24. WHILE the swimming community is still dealing with some of the after-effects from the Jessica Hardy positive drug test, some great news came out in the past few days.
The Manhattan College athletic department announced its intent to introduce men's swimming next season in Riverdale. The sport will compete at the NCAA Division I level, while the Jaspers suspend its men's tennis program for one year.
"I am pleased that sufficient interest exists to host a men's swimming program in 2008-09," states Director of Athletics Robert Byrnes. "Coach Olsewski has done an outstanding job getting this program started."
Manhattan will join MAAC member schools Marist, Rider, Loyola, Niagara, Saint Peter's, Iona, Fairfield and Canisius in its sponsorship of men's swimming. The Jaspers will participate in the 2009 MAAC Championships.
Special thanks to Manhattan College for contributing this report.