TicketsSept. 14, 2006
, -- The unveiling of the swimming and diving schedule offers a welcome sight: true home meets. For the first time in five years, the swimming and diving teams will have an on-campus facility in which to host dual meets and invitationals. The opened in February, 2006, as part of the grand opening of the UC Campus Recreation Center and the Bearcats are eager to jump into the pool and compete in their new digs.
"It has been a real challenge for our swimmers and divers to not have a pool on campus during these past four years. Even though we have enjoyed some tremendous individual successes, our new training facility in the heart of campus should make it easier to work with our entire team," said 18th-year head coach Monty Hopkins. "I can not possibly fully express my gratitude to all of the people who helped us during our time without a pool. Nor can I ever satisfactorily articulate my admiration for those who competed for the Bearcats and represented UC so well during those very difficult times."
Part of the $113 million , the natatorium features an eight-lane, 50-meter swimming course with an integrated diving well. The pool contains 12,000 square feet of water surface and includes a moveable bulkhead that will provide a high degree of flexibility in training course configuration.
The Bearcats open up the season at home with the Grand Opening Invitational, featuring and Xavier, on Oct. 21. The first weekend in November brings visits from (Nov. 3) and BIG EAST opponent (Nov. 4).
The competitive Indiana Invitational follows during the weekend of Nov. 17-19 and the annual () Invitational (Nov. 30-Dec. 2) wraps up the 2006 portion of the schedule.
The new year begins at rival on Jan. 13. visits on Jan. 16 in the first of three straight home meets. BIG EAST foe then invades the on Jan. 20 before the home schedule concludes with Senior Celebration against on Jan. 26.
The final tune-up before the BIG EAST Championships will be at on Jan. 27. The conference championships will take place on Feb. 14-17 in .
The NCAA Championships will be held on March 8-10 (women) and 15-17 (men) in