Northwestern Wildcats (Swimming and diving team)
Biography
Northwestern’s men's swimming program dates back to 1909. That same year the Patten Gymnasium was completed providing Northwestern with its first swimming pool. Northwestern has competed in the Big 10 since its inaugural season in 1911. The Men's team has amassed 10 Big Ten Championships and 4 unofficial national championships (no official points were awarded at that time, but if they had been, Northwestern was the undisputed winner).
The start of varsity competition for womens' swimming and diving at Northwestern began in 1973. However, prior to 1973 women were a part of Northwestern’s swimming history and success, such as Olympic Gold Medalist and World Record Holder Sybil Bauer, who was a student at Northwestern in the 1920s. The women's team has come in second four times in Big 10 Swimming and Diving Championships.
The team's practice facilities are located in the Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris Aquatics Center.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Richard Abrahams Papers
Swimmer Richard Abrahams set more than ten world records and more than twenty American records for Masters swimming. The 1966 Northwestern graduate is a Big Ten Champion, NCAA All-American, and an inductee to the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame.
Northwestern University Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Collection
The Northwestern Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Collection includes plaques, All-American certificates, programs, academic certificates, correspondence, photographs, record logs, and scrapbooks.