SJC Brooklyn Adds Men's Swimming for 2016-17 Season

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) Director of Athletics and Recreation James Lally and Head Swimming Coach Leonard DeVirgilio have announced the addition of a varsity men's swimming team to begin competition in 2016-17.

"We are very excited to be able to offer men's swimming as an NCAA sport at St. Joseph's, and provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences to a new group of students," commented Lally.

The addition of men's swimming increases the NCAA Division III varsity offerings on the Brooklyn campus to 14—with all sports competing in the Skyline Conference—and is the first sport to be added since 2012. DeVirgilio has served as the lone head coach in the eight-year history of the women's program, which he helped build in 2008.

"We're thrilled. Both the women, the men, and myself. As a coach, it's been long overdue. We've tried for years to get the men's team started," commented DeVirgilio. "It's going to be a challenge anytime you start something new, but with the right people we have behind us, the program will be successful. We can be competitive like the women have been. It'll be exciting."

"Coach DeVirgilio has done a tremendous job with the women's program throughout the years," continued Lally, "and we have no doubt that he and his staff will position both teams for success as we compete for Skyline Championships."

The men's and women's swimming teams will jump in the pool to open their 2016-17 campaigns at the Sarah Lawrence College Sprint Carnival on Saturday, October 29th.

In their inaugural season, the men are slated to swim in 10 meets and will form the seventh team in the league—competing against Mount Saint Mary College, Purchase College, Sarah Lawrence College, SUNY College at Old Westbury, SUNY Maritime College, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The season will culminate with the Skyline Conference Championships on January 27th and 28th.