On Oct. 5th, the swimming and diving teams welcomed back alumni for a special event that went beyond celebration. The alumni meet is more than just a chance to reconnect with students, it is also an opportunity for alumni to share valuable experiences and advice for the student-athletes.
The alumni play an important role in helping the student-athletes today and have paved the way for the program’s success. Their return reminds everyone of the tradition that continues to shape the team, and Director of Swimming and Diving Dan Lloyd understands the role it serves.
“I think it’s extremely important for our kids to know the people who built this program,” Lloyd said. “A couple of years ago, it was pretty special. The last team to win the conference title on the men’s side came back and was recognized that weekend, and then later that year, our men’s team won for the first time in 41 years since that last one.”
The alumni meet created a special moment for both the current athletes and alumni. It created a chance for students to connect and see the supportive alumni that the program has.
“It was a unique experience to have the opportunity for our kids to see the alums that built the program, and it was just a really special moment for them,” Lloyd said. “I think the other thing is that we have a great alumni base who’s very supportive of our program, and it’s important for us to have the ability to connect with them and have our current students connect with them.”
As well as sharing experiences in swimming, the alumni also help out current students with life outside of school. Senior Holden Siena has been on the swim team for all of his four years here at Augustana and values the advice he has been given throughout his time.
“I think it’s mostly like teaching everybody how to navigate college, especially the balance between swimming and the rest of your life,” Siena said. It’s such an important thing to be able to do because swimming can be so taxing, both mentally and physically, and the alumni have done a really good job of teaching me to realize that swimming isn’t everything.”
The meet isn’t all about reconnecting with the students; it is also about showing appreciation for the former athletes who gave everything to the program and made an effort to come back and support our student athletes.
“We try to showcase them because they are taking the time out of their weekend to come visit our facility and our program,” Senior Brooke Walker said. “I’m sure many of them aren’t even in the area anymore, so we just try to make it a good weekend for them. We involve them in relays and races. A lot of our athletes will race against them. It is really just a fun, exciting environment before our season kicks off.”
Building a strong program relies on the support of the alumni, who are a crucial part of the program’s success. They not only encourage the student-athletes but also inspire them to strive for outstanding results.
“I believe that a program is only going to be successful if your alumni support you,” Lloyd said. “I think our alums definitely support our program. This goes way back to even the last coach who won a conference title here came back and really impart some wisdom on our kids when he was here.”