University of the District of Columbia Announces Plans to Open Natatorium, Start NCAA Division II Swimming Program; Lauren Fuchs Named Aquatics Director and Head Swimming Coach
WASHINGTON, DC – University of the District of Columbia Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Patricia Thomas, unveiled plans to open the brand new, state-of-the-art Natatorium and start an NCAA Division II swimming program. In addition, Thomas announced the hiring of Lauren Fuchs as Aquatics Director and Head Swimming Coach, effective September 17, 2012.
The University of the District of Columbia will begin building a swim program with the addition of Women's Swimming, with plans to add Men's Swimming in the near future. The addition of Women's Swimming will increase the total number of athletic programs to 11 and further exhibits the university's commitment to NCAA Sports Sponsorship Requirements.
Fuchs will oversee the day-to-day operations of the newly renovated Natatorium including university and community programs, staffing, training, and maintenance. She will also be responsible for planning and administering all aspects of the NCAA Division II swimming program.
Thomas had this to say about the hiring of Fuchs, "Lauren is a great addition to our team. She is passionate about her work in an aquatics environment. Her experiences as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator are impressive."
Fuchs comes to the University of the District of Columbia with a wealth of experience as an Aquatics Director and Swim Coach. Fuchs was a swimming student-athlete and four year letter winner at George Washington University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science. Fuchs was an Assistant Swim Coach and Aquatics Director at George Washington from 2008 to 2011. She also was a Masters Swim Coach in Washington, DC and a personal Trainer at Vida Fitness.
The Natatorium, which is located in the Sports Complex on the Van Ness Campus, is scheduled to open on October 1, 2012. The Natatorium features a 25 yard pool with six lanes, a separate diving well with a 1 meter diving board, a spectator grandstand, offices, and locker rooms. A grand opening celebration of the Natatorium will be scheduled in the near future, time and date to be determined. University students, faculty, and staff can gain access to the Natatorium at no cost, provided they present a valid University of the District of Columbia identification card. Members of the surrounding neighborhood and Washington, DC community will be able to purchase membership packages for the Natatorium. For membership information, hours of operation, details about the grand opening celebration, rules, regulations, and other information please visit: http://www.udcfirebirds.com/information/CampusRec/aquatics
Thomas on the opening of the Natatorium, "Bringing the Natatorium online is a monumental step forward for the Athletic Department and for the university. Under Lauren Fuch's direction, the university will implement leisure and recreation, instructional, and other programming elements that will significantly add to the campus life for students, faculty, and staff."
The University of the District of Columbia is a Division II member institution competing in the East Coast Conference. The university currently sponsors ten athletic programs including: Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Tennis, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Women's Volleyball, Men's Soccer, and Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field.