KANSAS CITY, Missouri, January 25. THE National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) awarded Lindenwood University (Mo.) the 2009 and 2010 NAIA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving National Championships. The 53rd Annual Men's and 29th Annual Women's NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships will be contested March 4-7, 2009, at the St. Peters Rec-Plex in St. Peters, Mo. The 2010 events will be held March 3-6. Lindenwood served as host institution in 2005 and 2006.
"Lindenwood University is very excited to once again host the NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships. The fact that so many coaches wanted to return to the outstanding facilities at the St. Peters Rec-Plex is a good indication of the great experiences the coaches and athletes had in 2005 and 2006," said John Creer, Lindenwood Dean of Intercollegiate Athletics. "We will do our best to make sure that 2009 and 2010 will be even more memorable. We have already received assurances from many of the officials and workers that helped make the previous championships such a success that they will return and make the upcoming championships the best yet."
St. Peters Rec-Plex has a standing tradition of organizing prestigious swimming and diving events including the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials and the U.S. Olympic Festival. The facility features a full compliment of diving towers up to 10 meters as well as springboards and is home to a 50 meter pool suited for NAIA competition.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for NAIA student-athletes to compete for a national championship title at a fantastic facility with a reputation for hosting prominent events. Lindenwood is committed to creating a terrific championship experience for the participants, coaches and fans," said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. "I congratulate John Creer and his team for carrying on the proud tradition of NAIA national championships and look forward to successful events in future."
Over 300 student-athletes and coaches will spend several days in the city just minutes from the St. Louis skyline competing for both individual and team titles. In 2007 California Baptist University men's and women's swimming and diving teams took home the NAIA titles. The men's team won the national championship with 937.5 points and the women's team took home first place honors with a total of 783.5 points. Lindenwood University men's program finished second in 2007 under the direction of head coach Craig Penrose.
"Lindenwood will serve as a tremendous host for this event," said Dennis Green, NAIA Manager of Championship Sports. "Their familiarity in hosting the swimming and diving championships will certainly provide the student-athletes involved with an unforgettable experience."
Special thanks to the NAIA for contributing this report.