Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee, has dropped its men's and women's swimming and diving programs for next school year. The school competes in the Mid-South Conference and sent two men to the 2024 NAIA Championships.
The team practiced at Gaines Pool on campus in Baker Field House, which was built in 1969. The school's pools statement said, “Bethel has decided to close Gaines Pool as maintenance costs are too high at this time. The pool is scheduled to be drained later this week on June 1st.”
The pool was not only the home base for the school's boys and girls programs, but also a hub for the community. The school's athletic department website states that the pool was “available for rental for birthday parties and other functions.” According to the most recent census, McKenzie's population was 5,529.
The men's and women's teams have seen their team sizes shrink over the past few years. In 2021-2022, there were eight women on the team, compared to just four last season. The men's team had 13 players in 2021-2022, compared to nine last season.
At the 2024 Mid-South Championships, the boys placed 5th out of 7 teams and the girls placed 7th out of 7 teams. The boys advanced to the 2024 NAIA Championships. Jakub Loboda In the 100 butterfly, she placed fifth in 49.07 seconds, earning 14 points and helping the team finish in 19th place. Artem Zun She also qualified for the NAIA Championships in the 100 and 200 butterfly events.
Bethel University enrolled 3,119 students in the 2019-2020 academic year, according to the school's website. The school's athletics website states that the men's and women's swimming and diving programs have already been removed from its offerings. The school currently offers 10 men's sports, nine women's sports and five coed sports.
Smaller schools have cut swimming and diving programs in recent years while others have added them. Six schools in New York state cut programs last offseason. Others, including the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut), Dordt University (Iowa) and William Carey University (Mississippi), plan to add programs in the coming years.
