Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University Announces Swim & Dive Program Will Continue
3/18/2026 11:11:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
STUNT will continue to be added as a women’s varsity sport
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University announced Wednesday that it will retain its Women's Swimming & Diving program while continuing plans to add STUNT as a varsity sport, expanding participation opportunities for female student-athletes.
The decision follows a special meeting of the Marshall University Board of Governors on Wednesday morning and reflects an updated implementation strategy for advancing the university's commitment to Title IX participation opportunities, financial stewardship, and the long-term sustainability of Marshall Athletics.
Marshall President Brad D. Smith said the original decision regarding Swim & Dive was grounded in three realities facing collegiate athletics: expanding participation opportunities for women, managing the financial realities of intercollegiate athletics, and addressing the infrastructure investments required to sustain Division I swimming facilities.
Those realities, Smith said, remain unchanged.
"What changed was the recommended implementation strategy for achieving those goals," Smith said. "External Title IX consultation indicated that eliminating a women's program could potentially place the university outside the safe harbor framework of Title IX, even when the long-term result would be an increase in participation opportunities for women.
"When new information changes the pathway forward, responsible leadership reassesses," he continued. "This decision allows us to retain the Swim & Dive program while continuing to expand opportunities for women and moving forward constructively for our student-athletes and our university."
Smith also acknowledged the strong advocacy shown by the student-athletes, their families, and alumni who expressed support for the program in recent weeks.
"The passion and pride shown by these young women and their supporters reflects the very best of Marshall University," Smith said. "Their voices were heard, and we respect the way they advocated for one another and for a program they love. We remain committed to expanding opportunities for women in athletics while ensuring that Marshall Athletics operates responsibly and sustainably."
The decision follows a brief legal review. Allison Dodd, a junior and captain on the team as well as the lead plaintiff, celebrated the news.
"We are really happy Marshall is not only keeping our team but is going to help us make the team stronger for the long term," Dodd said. "We are also thankful for the tremendous support we got from alumni, our families, and the Marshall community. It meant a lot."
Lauren Hunter-Rone, a diver from the class of 2013 and member of the Marshall Swimming and Diving (MUSD) Alumni Network, is hopeful for the future saying, "This is a meaningful moment for our entire alumni community. We appreciate Marshall's willingness to listen, reevaluate, and take this step forward. We're looking forward to working together, and holding this shared commitment, to ensure a strong, lasting future for Marshall Swimming and Diving."
Joshua Hammack, one of the attorneys representing members of the team, echoed that sentiment.
"Today is a good day for the Swimming and Diving team, for the broader Marshall community, and for women everywhere," Hammack said. "Together with Marshall, these young women have strengthened the athletics program for current and future generations of Marshall students."
Marshall Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald J. Harrison said the decision reflects the evolving realities facing college athletics nationally.
"College athletics is changing rapidly, and universities across the country are navigating complex financial, legal, and competitive pressures," Harrison said. "Effective leadership requires both strong principles and the willingness to adapt when new information emerges.
"By retaining Swim & Dive while continuing to add STUNT and expand participation opportunities for women, we are strengthening Marshall Athletics and maintaining our commitment to Title IX participation goals."
Harrison added that the university will continue developing a broader participation and financial strategy to support women's athletics and Olympic sports.
"Our responsibility is to ensure that Marshall Athletics continues to grow opportunities for student-athletes while operating with disciplined stewardship," Harrison said. "We are grateful for the passion shown by our student-athletes, alumni, and supporters, and we look forward to working with those who want to help strengthen these programs moving forward."
Smith emphasized that the university remains committed to its broader objectives of expanding opportunities for female student-athletes and maintaining responsible stewardship of institutional resources.
"This moment is not about stepping away from our goals," Smith said. "It is about ensuring that we achieve them while focusing on adding participation opportunities. This enables us to continue strengthening women's athletics while supporting the long-term health of Marshall University."
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