Quincy University to Add Men’s and Women’s Swimming Programs
Quincy University (Ill.) announced on Friday that it will add men’s and women’s swimming programs starting in the fall of 2022.
Quincy had previously added women’s swimming in 2016, however the program was suspended at the end of the 2016-17 season due to “several personnel changes and unanticipated challenges,” per a release. Quincy will not sponsor diving competition.
“The United States recently won an impressive 30 Olympic medals for swimming. However, despite the remarkable number of youth swimmers in this country, some universities have eliminated swimming programs in recent years,” Quincy University president Dr. Brian McGee said in a university release. “We are proud to add women’s and men’s swimming as the thirteenth and fourteenth Olympic sports at QU and to provide new opportunities to these student-athletes.”
The Hawks will compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, which already includes 10 men’s and nine women’s swimming and diving teams. The addition of Quincy and the University of Southern Indiana in 2022 will bring those numbers to 12 and 11. The GLVC is a Division II conference.
“We are thrilled to implement swimming as part of our sport offerings at Quincy University. This will allow us to attract new students to our campus who will represent QU in the sport they love,” Quincy athletic director Josh Rabe said. “At a time when several universities nationwide have eliminated their swimming programs, we recognize the pressing need for more opportunities for student-athletes in this Olympic sport.”
Quincy’s swim team will compete at QU’s Health and Fitness Center Pool. A search for a coach and inaugural recruiting class will begin immediately.