Duquesne University has announced that women's diving will be added as a varsity program beginning in the 2017-18 season.
"As a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, in which all other institutions competing in women's swimming also sponsor the sport of diving, the reinstatement of the program provides us with competitive equity as we pursue a championship caliber culture," said director of athletics Dave Harper.
This marks the return of the diving program, which last competed as a varsity sport during the 2000-01 season.
"We are very excited about bringing back the sport of diving to the women's swimming program," said head women's swimming coach David Sheets. "We will work very hard to attract a coach that not only shares our vision from a competitive aspect, but also to find a coach that puts the priority of the total student-athlete at the forefront of their coaching philosophy."
The reinstatement of the sport will enhance the championship profile of the current Duquesne swimming program, which saw its best finish in A-10 Championship history last season, placing second.
"The addition of diving is a resounding commitment toward our program's ultimate goal of winning a conference championship," said Sheets. "I am continuously impressed with the support our program receives from the administration."
Duquesne will begin the process of identifying a prospective head coach immediately.
