A.D. Harrison reflects on ‘difficult’ Swimming & Diving decision
February 26, 2026 The Parthenon
The decision to cut Marshall University’s Swimming & Diving program came after “a comprehensive, sport by sport sustainability review,” the director of athletics said.
Gerald Harrison said the review included “total annual operating costs, scholarship and athletic aid commitments, staffing and recruiting expenses, facilities condition and ongoing maintenance demands, and projected capital needs required to maintain a safe, competitive and appropriate student-athlete experience.”
The Board of Governors officially announced Marshall Swimming & Diving’s cut Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Harrison said the decision came with regard to all student athletes, as well as the university’s finances.
“We recognize these decisions affect real people, and we did not approach the review lightly,” he said.
The program’s annual costs, he added, include travel, lodging, meals, recruiting, apparel, equipment and competition. Harrison said facilities were also a major consideration when making the decision.
“The independent Title IX review conducted in October 2025 identified meaningful facility-related needs, especially aging infrastructure and athlete-facing spaces, that would require substantial investment over time to remain competitive and to meet modern standards for student-athlete health, safety and experience. We also want to be clear that the pool will continue serving academic programs, recreation and community needs,” Harrison said in an email.
With many students, alumni and community members still feeling in the dark about why the Board of Governors moved forward with cutting the team, Harrison said the athletic department explored several different alternatives before deciding the future for the team.
“We explored phased upgrades, cost reduction scenarios and strategies to reduce annual operating costs while protecting the student-athlete experience. We also evaluated whether smaller adjustments could address long-term sustainability pressures and Title IX participation needs. Ultimately, we concluded the level of facility investment required, combined with roster size and the broader participation expectations, made it difficult to support the program in its current form while meeting our responsibility to support all student-athletes across the department,” Harrison said, noting it was the last decision the university wanted to make.
Along with community concern came anger and frustration, with many pointing towards an unfair upholding of the university’s Title IX standards, something Harrison said is not the case, going on to say the decision fully aligns with Marshall’s commitment to gender equity.
“The external Title IX review confirmed that Marshall provides equitable treatment across most operational areas. Our primary Title IX risk area is participation proportionality. Women are meaningfully underrepresented in athletic participation relative to undergraduate enrollment. From a practical standpoint, closing that gap requires expanding opportunities for women’s participation in sports with significant roster capacity. This recommendation significantly moves us in that direction while maintaining our commitment to gender equity and a high-quality student-athlete experience. As the father of two female student-athletes and the husband of a former female student-athlete, I care deeply about the representation of women in athletics,” Harrison said.
Harrison said he is fully prepared to support Marshall’s Swimming & Diving student-athletes during the tough transition,and resources are available and in place for students who need them.
“Our commitment is to support each student-athlete with care, clarity and individualized planning. Support includes honoring existing athletic aid commitments, assistance with the transfer process, including compliance and eligibility guidance, continued academic advising and access to sport psychology and mental health resources, and individual meetings to outline options and ensure each student-athlete has a clear path forward. We know this is an emotional and disruptive moment, and our priority is making sure these students feel supported and respected,” Harrison said, adding the delivery of the news at the Feb. 16 BOG meeting was “one of the hardest things I’ve done in my career.”
Even through the uncertainty, the Herd delivered strong, career-defining performances at the American Conference Swimming & Diving Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, just over a week after receiving the news.
Sophomore Lauren McNamara won the 200-yard butterfly, breaking the program record twice in one day. Freshman Elyse Wood set a new school record in the 100 freestyle, earning a silver medal. Katie Marshall finished eighth overall, ending with 707.5 points, and multiple athletes achieved lifetime bests, according to a HerdZone press release.
“This is not a statement about the value of non-revenue sports. Marshall remains committed to broad-based athletics and providing meaningful opportunities for student-athletes across sports. This recommendation reflects the reality of a changing college athletics landscape and our responsibility to make decisions that are sustainable, aligned with Title IX participation expectations and supportive of a high-quality student-athlete experience across the department,” Harrison said in an email.
As Marshall Swimming & Diving approaches its final chapter, its legacy of academic achievement, years of record-breaking performances and a strong, woven team will continue forward. The records set at the American Conference Championships show the community and university a reminder that, even in the face of uncertainty, MU Swimming & Diving’s legacy will always make waves.
