NORTH CANTON — Walsh University will expand its NCAA Division II athletic program with the addition of men’s and women’s swimming and diving, set to begin competition in the 2026–27 academic year.
The expansion brings the university’s total to 25 NCAA sports and 28 athletic programs overall.
“Adding swimming and diving is a forward-thinking investment in our students’ futures,” Christina Paone, vice president for athletics and athletic director, said in a statement. “Through sport, our scholar-athletes learn to lead with integrity, adapt to adversity, and work collaboratively — skills that last a lifetime and set them apart in the workforce. Our mission is to develop servant leaders, and athletics is one of our most powerful tools.”
The new swimming and diving teams will compete in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), which partners with the Mountain East and has a strong tradition in the sport. Swimming and diving are especially popular in Northeast Ohio, a region known for strong high school participation and for hosting high-caliber meets at venues such as the University of Akron, Cleveland State University and the C.T. Branin Natatorium.
With this strategic expansion, Walsh University is advancing its “30 by 30” initiative, aiming to offer 30 sports by 2030 and becoming an attractive destination for athletes seeking a transformative leadership experience grounded in Walsh’s core values of faith, community, service, integrity and excellence.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Walsh University to add men’s and women’s swimming and diving to NCAA athletic programs
Reporting by Canton Repository / The Repository
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