COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson College is adding men's wrestling and men's and women's swimming & diving in the fall of 2009, the school announced today.
When the Blue Raiders takes to mat and the pool next fall, it will mark the first time in school history Lindsey Wilson will field either a wrestling or swimming & diving teams.
"It's an exciting time," Lindsey Wilson athletics director Willis Pooler said. "Adding wrestling and men's and women's swimming & diving allows us to extend our mission to potential student-athletes who, until now, have not had the opportunity to experience our college.
"We're excited about starting new traditions with the programs we will kick-off next August."
The addition of wrestling and swimming & diving will increase the Lindsey Wilson athletic department to 16 sports and 33 varsity, junior varsity and club teams.
A national search for both program's first head coach is underway.
"We are currently in the interviewing process and hope to have our first head coach in each sport in place by the middle of November," Pooler said. "We are diligently working to find the right coach to lead our programs and to provide our future student-athletes with the leadership they deserve."
Both teams will begin their inaugural season in a brand new facility in 2009.
A 73,000 square-foot health and wellness center is being constructed on the former Lindsey Wilson baseball field. Inside, a 5,000 square-foot wrestling only room awaits the wrestling team and an eight lane competition pool awaits the swimming & diving teams.
"Our goal is to give all of our student-athletes a chance to succeed while providing them the best possible experience, both athletically and academically," Pooler said. "We feel this facility gives our student-athletes that advantage."
Following their hire, the wrestling and swimming & diving coaches will oversee the day-to-day operations of their program, including the recruitment of the first Lindsey Wilson teams.
"We wanted to hire coaches early enough to allow them the advantage of coming in and focusing most of their efforts on recruiting," Pooler said. "We understand the importance of both hires. We want to make sure our first coach in each program is given the opportunity to succeed."
