After a pair of Horizon League championships for the program in Oakland's first year in the league, the Oakland men's and women's swimming and diving teams will test themselves against the best in the region with a challenging schedule for the 2014-15 season.
"Being a member of the Horizon League brings new challenges and it also brings new opportunities," Oakland head coach Pete Hovland said. "To meet those challenges we have added a few new teams, both in the conference and out, in hopes of pushing our student-athletes to work and compete at an even higher level. Also, by traveling to Illinois and Wisconsin, we also hope to generate a broader level of exposure for our program within the Great Lakes region."
Five home meets over six dates await the Golden Grizzlies, with Michigan State visiting the OU Aquatic Center Jan. 24.
After a pair of home exhibitions in September - the alumni meet Sept. 20 and the intrasquad meet Sept. 26, Oakland starts the regular season on the road against the Wisconsin contingent of the Horizon League. The Golden Grizzlies will face Milwaukee Oct. 10 before taking on Green Bay Oct. 11.
The Golden Grizzlies will then take part in a three-team meet at Northwestern with UIC Oct. 25 before Oakland's home-opening weekend. The women's team will host Ohio and Youngstown State Oct. 31 before both teams entertain Wayne State Nov. 1.
Oakland will then host Mid-American Conference schools Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green Nov. 8 before taking a one-month break heading into the Eastern Michigan Invitational Dec. 5-6.
Following the winter intermission, Oakland will host Kenyon College, Cincinnati and Olivet Nazarene for a two-day home meet Jan. 16-17. The Golden Grizzlies will then host Michigan State Jan. 24 before wrapping up the regular season Jan. 31 at Cleveland State for a three-team meet with Xavier.
Oakland will then aim to defend their Horizon League titles at the 2015 Horizon League Swimming & Diving Championships, which are slated for Feb. 25-28 and will be hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
