Viking Swimming & Diving Alumni Weekend To Be Held This Weekend (Oct. 24)

CSU Display Board Dedication Will Take Place On Saturday

Oct. 23, 2009

A university is only as strong as its students and alumni, and in the case of the Cleveland State University swimming and diving team, that strength has been manifested through the ongoing Robert F. Busbey Natatorium Champions Campaign.

The three phase initiative includes instillation of a state-of-the-art graphics technology scoreboard, a new record board and a historical display that will document the storied tradition and success of the Vikings' swimming and diving program.

"Completing this first phase does more than put a new scoreboard on a wall," Director of Development Mike Dolsak said. "It opens the doors to fundraising for CSU Athletics. It proves that these projects can get done, and more importantly, done with private dollars."

In just under a year, over $120,000 has been raised through private gifts, allowing the completion of phase one - the purchase of a brand new scoreboard that will provide the ability to do video replay, put pictures of swimmers on the screen, as well as promote future events in the aquatics area.

"The new display project has been in the making for the last several years," head coach Wally Morton said. "We have embarked on a project to bring the natatorium to a top level in swimming and diving which will allow us to have a facility among the best in college swimming. This will also give us the chance to hold top regional, national and international events."

The scoreboard is set to be unveiled at the first home meet of the 2009-10 season for the men's and women's swimming and diving teams when they host Green Bay this Saturday (Oct. 24) at 12:00 noon. There will be a short presentation before the 1-meter diving event to thank the alumni and donors for their support of the CSU swimming and diving program.

Saturday will also serve as Alumni day for the program, with Viking swimmers and divers returning to their alma mater to take part in the festivities.

As part of the alumni activities there will be a reception at Elements Bistro following the CSU-Green Bay meet, where Morton will introduce the 2009-10 swimming and diving team along with Athletic Director Lee Reed saying a few words about the program.

For more information on the Robert F. Busbey Natatorium Champions Campaign or to make a donation, contact Mike Dolsak at (216) 875-9714 or m.dolsak@csuohio.edu.