Dan Schemmel, Stanford Coach and Former Michigan State Swimmer, Will Speak in Battle for MSU Reinstatement

Stanford University coach Dan Schemmel, a former Spartan swimmer, will appear before the MSU Board of Trustees in support of the Battle for Spartan Swim and Dive’s ongoing fight for reinstatement.

Schemmel, who swam for Michigan State from 2004-2008 and also coached at Arizona, Wisconsin, and Hawaii, will address the Trustees and President Samuel Stanley during the public participation segment of the meeting on Friday, April 22, starting at 8 a.m. EST. Dan Schemmel will speak to the value a swimming and diving program brings to a university and how Stanford reversed course and reinstated 11 varsity athletic programs after cutting them in July 2020, citing “changed circumstances including newly galvanized philanthropic interest.” MSU’s circumstances have also changed.

The Battle for Spartan Swim and Dive group has paralleled the 36 Sports Strong organization’s efforts, mobilizing alumni and supporters, identifying errors and discrepancies behind the program’s elimination on Oct. 22, 2020, and most recently securing two generous donations from alumni who have agreed to match up to $8.5 million in pledges and estate donations toward the reinstatement of both programs. Combined with existing endowments that is more than $11 million for MSU Swim and Dive.

Dan Schemmel will be part of another lineup of speakers representing the Battle group, who have appeared at every BOT meeting since November 2020. Also addressing the MSU leadership are MSU alumni Dawn Polk (Swimming, 1995-1999), MSU Swim Club President Alexis Lefevre, Spartan varsity swimmers Ava Boutros and Rachel Aycock, and Detroit Athletic Club Aquatics Director Robin Hartnett.

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Battle for Spartan Swim and Dive. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.