Salem International University is taking the necessary steps to reinstate men's and women's swimming as a NCAA Division II varsity sport for the 2016-17 season. Aquatics Director and Head Water Polo Coach Rob Bullion will oversee the program and serve as head coach.
The Tigers have been extended an invitation to apply to the Bluegrass Mountain Conference to participate in swimming. The Bluegrass Mountain Conference is a swimming-only conference that includes schools from several different states, including West Virginia.
"I am excited to expand upon our aquatics programs at the university," Bullion said. "Salem International has a prestigious swimming past and I look forward to bringing the program back to its glory in past decades."
The Tigers have a decorated swimming past, including top finishes at the NCAA Championships from 1998 through 2000. The men's program placed fourth at the 1998 championships and eighth in 1999, while the women finished in the top 15 in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Salem International also boasted five West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) Championships (four in men's; one in women's), with the last coming when the 2004 men's team claimed the crown.
Salem International last had men's and women's swimming as a varsity sport in 2010.
Please contact head coach Rob Bullion for further details regarding the Salem International men's and women's swimming programs.
The Bluegrass Mountain Conference is a swimming-only conference. The conference is highly unique with schools from seven different states at three different levels of competition: NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. The conference is based out of South Carolina.
