Mustang swimming and diving teams will make a splash on November 3 when they host LSU in the new Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center and Barr-McMillion Natatorium, which will be dedicated at 3 p.m. that day. Five Mustangs events are coming up in the state-of-the-art aquatics center, including the 2018 American Athletic Conference Championships in February.
The 42,000 square foot center, located on the University’s east campus at 5550 SMU Blvd., is key to preparing SMU’s Division I men’s and women’s swimmers and divers for the highest level of competition.
“For more than 70 years, SMU swimming and diving has produced Olympians, All Americans and NCAA champions,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “The completion of the Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center affirms SMU’s commitment to providing first-rate facilities to support our student-athletes.”
The Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center was built with the help of former SMU swimmers, divers, coaches and friends of men’s and women’s swimming and diving dedicated to supporting the future of SMU’s swimming and diving programs.
Lead donors include Bruce A. Robson ’74 and Emily K. Robson, Joe Robson ’76 and Hannah Robson and Steven J. Lindley ’74 and Shelli Mims Lindley. They are joined by Sheila Peterson Grant and Joseph (Jody) M. Grant ’60, The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc. and Robert A. Wilson ’67 and Susan Cooper Wilson ’67.
The final fundraising push for the Aquatics Center received a significant boost when the Grants contributed $1.5 million while also creating the Sheila and Jody Grant Challenge, which encouraged other donors to give the remaining $1.5 million to complete the center’s $22 million funding goal. The challenge was near its goal approaching the center’s dedication.
“I am so grateful to our donors for their commitment to swimming and diving at the highest level,” said Brad Cheves, SMU vice president for development and external affairs. “The commitment of the Robson and Lindley families and the other lead donors, the encouragement of Sheila and Jody Grant in their funding challenge and the many other donors who have supported this project at many levels, shows the impact that SMU swimming had on so many lives. Thanks to their generosity, future swimmers and divers will have the opportunity for memorable experiences as well.”
Read more at SMU News.