MALIBU, Calif. – Following last week’s announcement that the Pepperdine women’s swimming and diving program would be discontinued, enough outside assistance has been offered over the weekend that the University will allow the program to compete for one more season.

 

However, the program will still be disbanded following the 2009-10 school year.

 

“Allowing the swimming and diving program to continue for one season will allow those returning, particularly our seniors, to properly conclude their athletic experience at Pepperdine, hopefully with a strong finish and new school records,” Pepperdine Director of Athletics John Watson said. “This additional year will also allow current student-athletes and the incoming recruiting class to explore all of their options if they choose to transfer to other programs over the next year.

 

“I am delighted this opportunity is being made available and grateful to those that are investing in these young women. I also do not want to build false hopes. There is no University funding available to continue the program beyond the 2009-2010 academic year. While the long-term decision will still disappoint many, I want to thank those that have or will commit to the funding for one final season.”

 

The Pepperdine women’s swimming and diving program competes in the Pacific Collegiate Swimming & Diving Conference, an affiliation of NCAA and NAIA programs on the West Coast. Pepperdine has sponsored the sport since the mid-1980s. The Waves had a program-best finish of second place at the PCSC Championships on two occasions, and placed third at the 2009 event. Over the years, one swimmer and four divers have achieved NCAA Championships qualifying marks.

 

Pepperdine will continue to honor the existing scholarship agreements with its swimmers and divers through the remainder of their eligibility, although the Department will assist those that desire a transfer to other schools to continue their careers.

 

With swimming and diving included, the total number of varsity teams that Pepperdine will sponsor in 2009-10 will be 15, with seven men’s squads and eight women’s teams.

 

Pepperdine University, located in Malibu, Calif., boasts a one-of-a-kind athletic department with unprecedented success for a school of its size (with undergraduate enrollment of less than 3,000). The Waves have won a total of nine NCAA championships in five different men’s sports — one of just 14 schools to have accomplished this feat. Of the 14, Pepperdine is the only non-BCS school and has by far the smallest enrollment. The majority of Pepperdine’s teams are ranked nationally year after year and several compete for conference and national titles.