Ave Maria Continues NAIA Growth

Ave Maria University will become the fifth men’s and second new women’s launch swimming and diving for the 2021 season. The addition of varsity swimming teams to the University is part of a multi-faceted expansion of AMU's athletic operations, which includes the addition of four new varsity sports teams and the construction of three new athletic-related buildings.

"We're thrilled to be adding swim and dive to our varsity offerings," said Director of Athletics Joe Patterson. "There is great momentum within the Athletic Department right now, and we believe swim and dive will be a great asset to the University."

Despite the widespread elimination of teams in Olympic sports since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Gyrenes join Wagner College, Augustana (SD) University, and Indiana Wesleyan in adding a men’s team and joins Bluefield State University in adding a women’s program.

The addition of swimming to the University portfolio marks the first new sport added by AMU since women's lacrosse began play in the spring of 2015. The University has had a club team for some time, and it was deemed the correct time to elevate swimming into an NAIA varsity sport. In the past five years eighteen NAIA institutions have added swimming.

Ave Maria becomes the fifth Sun Conference member to sponsor swimming, joining SCAD-Savannah, St. Thomas, Thomas, and Keiser. The University will begin preparation and recruitment immediately, with full NAIA competition scheduled to begin in the fall 2021 semester. NAIA competition in swimming and diving takes place during the winter season, marking AMU's third winter sport.

Ave Maria's swimming programs will train primarily at the Ave Maria Water Park, which is located less than a mile from campus. The town of Ave Maria, located in eastern Collier County, is the fastest growing community in southwest Florida. The greater southwest Florida community also features multiple swim and dive facilities, which will give prospective athletes numerous opportunities to improve.

"Ave Maria University is well situated to support a thriving swim and dive program," said Patterson. "The initial response has been tremendous, so I'm optimistic that we will have a strong launch to the program."

Prospective student-athletes interested in the sport of golf are invited to fill out a recruiting questionnaire here. As a member of the NAIA, Ave Maria University is able to combine both athletic and academic scholarships to create an appealing financial package for student-athletes.