Until I looked at the Athletic Dept website closely this morning, I didn't realize that the VU Swiming & Diving team uses the Valparaiso Aquatics Center for meets. It was built for $45 million and is 50m x 25m. Great facility. I assume the swim program still uses the 60 year-old ARC pool for daily practices though. But this arrangement, coupled with competition in the MAC, certainly could help in the recruiting of better swimmers to the program.
Quote from: VULB#62 on February 03, 2023, 08:59:21 AMVU Swiming & Diving team uses the Valparaiso Aquatics Center for meets. It was built for $45 million and is 50m x 25m. Great facility. I assume the swim program still uses the 60 year-old ARC pool for daily practices though. But this arrangement, coupled with competition in the MAC, certainly could help in the recruiting of better swimmers to the program.
So the huge disadvantage Valpo has being in the Valley, or any conference really, is that we are maybe the smallest school that is also located in the smallest city. Schools even like Evansville and including schools like Missouri State and most others are playing in facilities either built by taxpayer money or owned by the local city/county. That is a largely overlooked part of the disgruntled, despondent fans on this board when comparing our ARC to their 11000 seat arenas.
Quote from: VULB#62 on February 03, 2023, 08:59:21 AMVU Swiming & Diving team uses the Valparaiso Aquatics Center for meets. It was built for $45 million and is 50m x 25m. Great facility.
https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1644405&type=d&pREC_ID=1786738 (https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1644405&type=d&pREC_ID=1786738)
The VAC was built within Valparaiso High School. It is good to see the pics of the facility.
Having a competitive Swimming & Diving program for M & W would be a first for Valpo, for as long as I have followed the athletics program. It's always just been there as an option, but we only boast about personal records that folks might achieve, versus winning and actual program records. Hopefully having this competitive facility allows us to have a decent program moving forward.
My recollection from the time the ARC pool opened in 1962ish is that S&D was never a priority on a team basis — in my time Ole Larson, an assistant FB coach, was the HC and the swimmers I knew basically coached each other. And you're right on the Personal Record, Pool Record and School Record emphasis over winning dual meets. Valpo has never, to my knowledge ever challenged for a team championship at a league championship meet (which is achievable in swimming even if your dual meet record isn't great — if you have just a couple of great individuals who can dominate multiple events).
BUT............. Access to the VAC (at least for meets) might be a game changer. Hopefully, VUSwim sees this string and chimes in. He has a very good understanding of the culture and priorities at work here.
Quote from: VULB#62 on February 05, 2023, 03:56:44 PM
My recollection from the time the ARC pool opened in 1962ish is that S&D was never a priority on a team basis — in my time Ole Larson, an assistant FB coach, was the HC and the swimmers I knew basically coached each other. And you're right on the Personal Record, Pool Record and School Record emphasis over winning dual meets. Valpo has never, to my knowledge ever challenged for a team championship at a league championship meet (which is achievable in swimming even if your dual meet record isn't great — if you have just a couple of great individuals who can dominate multiple events).
BUT............. Access to the VAC (at least for meets) might be a game changer. Hopefully, VUSwim sees this string and chimes in. He has a very good understanding of the culture and priorities at work here.
No more Bretschers being cleaned up by their Pastor-father in the Valpo pools.
Thanks 62! I should check this more often lol. Obviously it is huge that VU can use the VAC, there had been talks for 15 yrs and finally Valpo schools committed to a new aquatics facility. VU and Valpo Schools had disagreements on the location of the new facility and although VU wanted one they wanted it in the old hospital lot and VU schools wanted it on their campus. Ultimately neither would budge, but now VU pays Valpo Schools a pretty penny to rent for meets. VAC is one of two premier facilities in NWI with Munster being the other.
Great for recruiting purposes and hosting bigger meets. I still cringe from 12 yrs ago when Notre Dame brought their JV team to the ARC, and they wondered WTF haha. In order for VU to compete in the MVC/MAC the school will have to invest in more scholarships. In my time and as of a couple yrs ago there was one full ride on each side. With 3-4 on each side they could be more competitive.
A 2005 Valpo grad is currently running the program and doing a great job with what she has been given !!