Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Davidson Receives $500,000 Commitment to Establish a New Swimming & Diving Scholarship Endowment
6/2/2021 2:45:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving, DAF, Swimming & Diving
June 3, 2021 - The Davidson College Athletics Department today announced a $500,000 commitment to establish a new Swimming & Diving Scholarship Endowment – the largest endowment gift ever to the swimming & diving program.
"Coach John Young has created a legacy at Davidson by retaining high-level swimmers and divers, along with athletes who are recruited on potential alone," said the anonymous donor and Davidson alum. "The intention behind this gift is to further equip Coach Young and his staff to pursue talent from all backgrounds, especially as the team continues to gain a competitive advantage in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) Conference. This gift is made with the confidence that John and his staff will continue fostering an environment of balance, camaraderie and diligence, both on and off the pool deck. The experience of training and competing in Davidson's swimming and diving program is nothing short of life-changing, and this gift is meant to provide that opportunity to young athletes for years to come."
A five-time conference Coach of the Year (COY), including the 2020 A-10 Women's COY Award, Head Coach John Young has found much success in his 15 years at the helm of the college's swimming and diving program. During his tenure, the Wildcats have reached new heights, including NCAA Championship appearances by Lindsey Martin '11 (2010 and 2011 NCAAs), Drew Onken '13 (2012 NCAAs) and Elise Lankiewicz '17 (2017 NCAAs), in addition to United States Olympic Team Trials qualifications by Geoff Peitz '12 and Drew Onken '13 (2012 Trials) and Luke Burton '16 and Katy Williams '17 (2016 Trials). Under Coach Young, the program has captured four Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) championships — three for the men (2010, 2011 and 2013) and one for the women (2008) – before the Wildcats moved to the A-10 Conference in 2014. Lankiewicz was also named as a Scholastic All-American and three-time A-10 Most Outstanding Female Performer, while also being awarded an A-10 postgraduate scholarship. This past year both Wildcat squads enjoyed their best-ever finishes, led by A-10 Most Outstanding Female Performer Shelby Stanley '23 and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient Mitchell Stanek '21. Outside the pool, the program has consistently earned academic recognition from the College Swimming Coaches Association while producing two Davidson College valedictorians.
"This tremendous gift is an absolute game changer for Davidson Athletics," said Director of Athletics Chris Clunie '06. "The swimming & diving program will now have more resources to accomplish the teams' goals. This is what 'doing more with more' looks like, and we are incredibly grateful for this generous contribution and ongoing commitment to Davidson's exceptional scholar-athletes."
An endowment gift is one of the most impactful gifts a donor can make to Davidson College. Endowed funds provide a lasting source of support and provide an opportunity to bring leading talent to Davidson. Currently, Davidson awards 83 endowed athletic scholarships each year at varying levels. An increased number of endowed athletic scholarships allows for annual gifts to the Davidson Athletic Fund to be applied to other athletics needs, including travel, equipment, recruiting and enhanced technology for training and recovery. Endowments can be funded through outright or planned gifts. Donors may also choose to establish a new endowment fund or add to an existing endowment.
For more information on endowments or other ways to support Davidson Athletics via a gift to the Davidson Athletic Fund, please contact Brandon McCladdie, director of athletic development, at brmccladdie@davidson.edu/704-894-2657 or visit https://davidsonwildcats.com/sports/daf. Gifts to the Davidson Athletic Fund support Davidson's nearly 500 scholar-athletes and 21 Division I programs.
"Coach John Young has created a legacy at Davidson by retaining high-level swimmers and divers, along with athletes who are recruited on potential alone," said the anonymous donor and Davidson alum. "The intention behind this gift is to further equip Coach Young and his staff to pursue talent from all backgrounds, especially as the team continues to gain a competitive advantage in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) Conference. This gift is made with the confidence that John and his staff will continue fostering an environment of balance, camaraderie and diligence, both on and off the pool deck. The experience of training and competing in Davidson's swimming and diving program is nothing short of life-changing, and this gift is meant to provide that opportunity to young athletes for years to come."
A five-time conference Coach of the Year (COY), including the 2020 A-10 Women's COY Award, Head Coach John Young has found much success in his 15 years at the helm of the college's swimming and diving program. During his tenure, the Wildcats have reached new heights, including NCAA Championship appearances by Lindsey Martin '11 (2010 and 2011 NCAAs), Drew Onken '13 (2012 NCAAs) and Elise Lankiewicz '17 (2017 NCAAs), in addition to United States Olympic Team Trials qualifications by Geoff Peitz '12 and Drew Onken '13 (2012 Trials) and Luke Burton '16 and Katy Williams '17 (2016 Trials). Under Coach Young, the program has captured four Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) championships — three for the men (2010, 2011 and 2013) and one for the women (2008) – before the Wildcats moved to the A-10 Conference in 2014. Lankiewicz was also named as a Scholastic All-American and three-time A-10 Most Outstanding Female Performer, while also being awarded an A-10 postgraduate scholarship. This past year both Wildcat squads enjoyed their best-ever finishes, led by A-10 Most Outstanding Female Performer Shelby Stanley '23 and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient Mitchell Stanek '21. Outside the pool, the program has consistently earned academic recognition from the College Swimming Coaches Association while producing two Davidson College valedictorians.
"This tremendous gift is an absolute game changer for Davidson Athletics," said Director of Athletics Chris Clunie '06. "The swimming & diving program will now have more resources to accomplish the teams' goals. This is what 'doing more with more' looks like, and we are incredibly grateful for this generous contribution and ongoing commitment to Davidson's exceptional scholar-athletes."
An endowment gift is one of the most impactful gifts a donor can make to Davidson College. Endowed funds provide a lasting source of support and provide an opportunity to bring leading talent to Davidson. Currently, Davidson awards 83 endowed athletic scholarships each year at varying levels. An increased number of endowed athletic scholarships allows for annual gifts to the Davidson Athletic Fund to be applied to other athletics needs, including travel, equipment, recruiting and enhanced technology for training and recovery. Endowments can be funded through outright or planned gifts. Donors may also choose to establish a new endowment fund or add to an existing endowment.
For more information on endowments or other ways to support Davidson Athletics via a gift to the Davidson Athletic Fund, please contact Brandon McCladdie, director of athletic development, at brmccladdie@davidson.edu/704-894-2657 or visit https://davidsonwildcats.com/sports/daf. Gifts to the Davidson Athletic Fund support Davidson's nearly 500 scholar-athletes and 21 Division I programs.
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