New Programs Underscore Walsh’s Commitment as a Leadership Laboratory, Building Skills Employers Value Most
Walsh University proudly announces the expansion of its NCAA Division II athletic program with the addition of men’s and women’s swimming and diving, set to begin competition in the 2026–27 academic year. The expansion brings the university’s total to 25 NCAA sports and 28 athletic programs overall. In addition to enhancing its competitive profile, this strategic decision is rooted in Walsh’s mission to cultivate athletics as a living leadership laboratory, intentionally designed to develop essential skills such as communication, resilience, honesty, and generosity—the very attributes that employers across all industries seek in their future leaders.
“Adding swimming and diving is a forward-thinking investment in our students’ futures,” said Christina Paone, Vice President for Athletics and Athletic Director. “Through sport, our scholar-athletes learn to lead with integrity, adapt to adversity, and work collaboratively—skills that last a lifetime and set them apart in the workforce. Our mission is to develop servant leaders, and athletics is one of our most powerful tools.”
The new swimming and diving teams will compete in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), which partners with the Mountain East and has a strong tradition in the sport. Swimming and diving are especially popular in Northeast Ohio, a region known for strong high school participation and for hosting high-caliber meets at venues like the University of Akron, Cleveland State University, and the C.T. Branin Natatorium.
Walsh University athletes continue to excel both in the classroom and in competition. In the 2024–25 academic year, a record 326 Cavaliers were named to the G-MAC Academic All-Conference team, the third highest total in the league, while three athletes were named All-Americans and six earned the prestigious Elite 26 honor for holding the top GPA in their respective sports.
Comprehensive support for scholar-athletes success is provided through a partnership with Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Sports Medicine, which offers comprehensive care through a team of 10 full-time sports medicine professionals. More than 800 Walsh athletes benefit from this collaboration, ensuring their health, wellness, and peak performance.
With this strategic expansion, Walsh University is advancing its “30 by 30” initiative, aiming to offer 30 sports by 2030 and becoming an attractive destination for athletes seeking a transformative leadership experience grounded in Walsh’s core values of faith, community, service, integrity, and excellence.
At Walsh, every sport is a stage for building leaders—on the field, in the pool, and beyond.
