Exciting News: Marquette University Launches Women’s Swimming Program in NCAA Division I!

Marquette University, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is set to launch a women’s varsity swimming program starting in the 2025-2026 season. This program is part of the school’s efforts to promote gender equity in athletics and will not include a diving component.

The new team will join the Big East conference, where they will compete against universities like Butler, UConn, and Georgetown. The university aims to have between 18 and 30 swimmers on the roster, enhancing opportunities for female athletes in a school where women currently make up around 56% of the undergraduate population but only represent 46% of varsity athletes.

This move is part of Marquette’s broader strategy to align athletics better with its student demographics. “Adding women’s swimming is a significant step toward gender equity,” stated a university representative. The addition aims to bring the percentage of female student-athletes to 51% as the school navigates its commitments following a recent settlement related to gender equity standards.

Marquette boasts a new sports and wellness facility, which includes a six-lane pool and will host dual meets on campus. Larger events will be held at the nearby Walter Schroeder Aquatics Center, just 20 minutes away.

Enrollment at Marquette has faced challenges, with about 450 fewer students in fall 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels. This trend is accompanied by budget cuts, prompting the school to consider new programs that may attract more students. According to a report by Forbes Magazine, Marquette plans to cut $31 million from its budget over the next six years.

The swimming program will be Marquette’s 17th varsity sport, and it adds to an athletics history that includes notable achievements in men’s basketball. The men’s team won the 1977 NCAA Championship and has produced numerous NBA stars, including Jimmy Butler and Dwayne Wade. Interestingly, the university does not sponsor a varsity football team, having dropped it back in 1960.

With the addition of this swimming program, Marquette will now host the fourth women’s swimming team in Wisconsin, joining institutions like the University of Wisconsin and UW-Green Bay.

As the university continues to evolve, this strategic step reflects a growing commitment to supporting women in sports and enhancing the overall athletic experience. It also ties into a larger national conversation about gender equity in athletics, which has gained traction in recent years as more universities reassess their athletic programs and opportunities for female athletes.

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