Marquette Athletics Announces Addition of Women’s Swimming

Marquette University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will add women’s swimming as its 17^th varsity sport, with the program scheduled to begin competition as early as the 2025-26 season, Vice President and Director of Athletics Mike Broeker announced Wednesday afternoon.

The program will compete in the BIG EAST Conference Championships but will not feature a diving program. Nearly 200 NCAA Division I institutions (over 5,000 student-athletes) sponsor women’s swimming, including fellow league members Butler, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier.

“Marquette Athletics is uniquely positioned to offer women’s swimming student-athletes a transformative experience, combining quality training and competition with a proven history of academic achievement for our student-athletes,” said Broeker. “Adding women’s swimming will improve gender equity in athletics and provide a revenue generation opportunity for the university, while offering a competitive Division I experience for our student-athletes. It’s a win-win for our department and university.”

The women’s swimming season runs from mid-September through early March, capped by the league championship meet at a neutral site in late February. Rosters feature as many as 30 student-athletes and over 20 programs are in the Midwest, including at Wisconsin, Green Bay and Milwaukee.

“As we implement our sustainable, mission-aligned, multi-year enrollment strategy, Athletics has been a key partner in helping demonstrate how Marquette’s transformational educational experience can be accessible to a broad range of students, including our Division I student-athletes,” said Brian Troyer, vice president, enrollment management.

The team will train and compete in the recently renovated Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility (opened in January 2025). The building features a six-lane, 25-yard pool, seating for nearly 150 spectators, a dedicated team locker room and office for the two-member coaching staff. The facility will have the ability to host dual competitions, but any larger meets would take place off campus.

A national search for the program’s first head coach will begin immediately.

---

WOMEN’S SWIMMING ADDITION FAQs

WHY IS MARQUETTE ADDING A SPORT?
The addition of women’s swimming aligns with Marquette’s commitment to student-athlete success, academic excellence, and gender equity. This program enhances our athletic portfolio, provides competitive and academic opportunities for women, and supports long-term athletic department sustainability. The addition of a 17^th varsity program was presented by Athletics during the Securing Our Future planning process.

WHEN IS THE FIRST COMPETITIVE SEASON?
Marquette women’s swimming’s inaugural season will take place as early the 2025-26 academic year, with student-athletes arriving on campus in the fall of 2025.

WHAT FACILITIES WILL THE TEAM USE FOR PRACTICES AND COMPETITION?
The team will train and compete in the recently completed Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility (opened in January 2025). The building features a six-lane, 25-yard pool, seating for nearly 150 spectators, a dedicated team locker room and office for the two-member coaching staff. The facility will have the ability to host dual competitions, but any larger meets would take place off campus (Walter Schroeder Aquatics Center).

HOW MANY ROSTER SPOTS ARE ON A TYPICAL SWIMMING ROSTER?
The roster will feature as many as 30 student-athletes, with a minimum of 18 participants to compete for the league title at the BIG EAST Championships.

DOES THE BIG EAST CONFERENCE SPONSOR WOMEN’S SWIMMING?
Yes. The program will compete in the BIG EAST Conference Championships but won’t feature a diving program. Fellow league members Butler, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier all sponsor swimming/diving and the season runs from mid-September through early March, capped by the league championship meet at a neutral site in late February and the NCAA Championships in late March.

DO ENOUGH TEAMS COMPETE TO SCHEDULE REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY?
Nearly 200 NCAA Division I institutions (over 5,000 student-athletes) sponsor women’s swimming and over 20 programs are located in the Midwest, including at Wisconsin, Green Bay and Milwaukee.

WHO WILL COACH THE TEAM?
Marquette will conduct a national search for its first women’s swimming head coach this summer. Additional coaching and support staff will be added after the head coach is selected.

HOW DOES THIS DECISION AFFECT MARQUETTE’S GENDER EQUITY COMPLIANCE?
This decision strengthens our commitment to gender equity in athletics. By adding women’s swimming and adjusting team rosters in accordance with the pending settlement of the House case, we are aligning athletic opportunities more closely with the makeup of our undergraduate student body. These changes help ensure we remain in compliance with gender equity standards.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME MARQUETTE ADDED A SPORT?
It marks the first addition of a new varsity sport at the university since men’s and women’s lacrosse were added in 2013. The addition of women’s swimming will increase Marquette’s sport total to 17, including nine women’s programs.

ARE THERE PLANS TO ADD OR DROP OTHER SPORTS?
The university has no plans to add or discontinue any other sports at Marquette.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.