Bluefield State Adds Teams for 2021-22

Bluefield State College has become the first university to announce the addition of men's and women's swimming for the 2021-22 season.  In doing so, the Big Blues become the second Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to sponsor swimming, joining Division I Howard University. The announcement brings the total of new teams established since 2016 to seventy-three.

The additions are a part of a sweeping expansion at the Division II institution. In total the school will add a dozen sports as a part of its effort to build a larger residential campus.  Nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bluefield is located within three hours of more than 200 year-round USA Swimming Member clubs and 657 high school programs.  

The school's announcement was met with widespread excitement within the swimming community. "The past several months have clearly been difficult for intercollegiate sports, but institutions like Bluefield continue to see the value in adding swimming," explained CSCAA Executive Director Greg Earhart. "I'm excited, not just because of the opportunities Bluefield will provide, but also because of the commitment President [Robin] Capehart and Athletic Director [Derrick] Price have expressed towards being immediately competitive."

Nic Askew, Howard University Director of Swimming and Tennis, added, “Seeing another HBCU add men’s and women’s swimming programs, especially during these uncertain times, is remarkable. There is so much to be applauded by Bluefield State's announcement.  This will resonate on multiple levels."

Pat Snively, a member of the CSCAA Board of Directors and Head Coach at Fairmont State, noted that "this decision is really part of a broader trend here in West Virginia." Citing the completion of the Mylan Aquatic Center at West Virginia and the reinstatement of teams at Wheeling University, he added noted, "This is something that will benefit not only the university but the entire state and swimming community as it gives student-athletes another opportunity to pursue their academic and athletic goals. It is refreshing to see that BSC’s administration sees value in not only swimming, but in the additional ten sports, it plans to add. This will impact hundreds of student-athletes and will add lasting value to the institution.”