Following two years of uncertainty, SUNY Alfred State College has announced it will eliminate its men’s and women’s swim teams immediately and the diving team next season. The Division III school first floated the idea of cutting these programs after structural damage to the pool was discovered in 2023.
According to Swim Swam, the team practiced and competed using nearby Alfred University’s aquatic facilities in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. During this time, recruitment was paused, “ultimately leading to the athletic department’s decision to make this past season the program’s last.”
Following two years of uncertainty, SUNY Alfred State College has announced it will eliminate its men’s and women’s swim teams immediately and the diving team next season. The Division III school first floated the idea of cutting these programs after structural damage to the pool was discovered in 2023.
According to Swim Swam, the team practiced and competed using nearby Alfred University’s aquatic facilities in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. During this time, recruitment was paused, “ultimately leading to the athletic department’s decision to make this past season the program’s last.”
The university cited “lack of staffing” as its reason to shutter the men’s and women’s swimming program, despite the fact that head coach Zach Healy only accepted a new position after it was clear that the program would be discontinued. Healy will be the aquatics director and head coach at Berry College next season.
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“We are grateful for the dedication and efforts of Coach Healy during his time leading our swimming and diving teams,” said Alfred State director of athletics Jason Doviak. “Although we are currently unable to support the swimming portion of the program, we remain committed to providing a meaningful competitive experience for our diving student-athletes.”
The diving team remains with a handful of student-athletes left to compete, and it will finish out the 2025-26 season under head coach, Nick Beach. Last season, Alfred State sent one diver to the NCAA Division III championships, Conor Compton, who earned fifth place in the men’s 1-meter diving event.
“Coach Beach has been a steady presence within the program, and we are thankful for his willingness to support our divers during this transitional time,” Doviak said. “His dedication to the team and to Alfred State embodies the spirit of Pioneer Athletics.”
