— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Following recent rumors that Marshall University would be cutting women’s swimming and diving, the MU Board of Governors unanimously approved the shutdown of the program on Tuesday.
The cut comes as this year’s team prepares to compete in the American Conference Championship, which starts Wednesday in Greensboro, N.C.
As one program is dropped, the Board of Governors approved the addition of a Stunt team, one of the fastest-growing sports offered by the NCAA.
Marshall University President Brad Smith and Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison said the decisions were not made lightly, but were dictated by both costs and the need to meet federal Title IX participation standards.
Harrison met with swim team members last Thursday to inform them the program would be ending.
In a later email to the team, Harrison stated “the decision was made after evaluating what is required to provide the highest-quality student-athlete experience over the long term.”
“Swimming requires significant ongoing facility, locker room and infrastructure investment to support health, safety, training and recruiting at the level our student-athletes deserve,” Harrison added. “At this time, we cannot commit to the level of facility and infrastructure investment necessary to support swimming and diving in the way our student-athletes deserve and expect from Marshall Athletics.”
Harrison and Smith said that massive investment was needed to improve the 45-year-old Frederick Fitch Natatorium, which is part of the Cam Henderson Center.
The natatorium will remain open and Smith says it will continue to welcome Marshall students, the community and high school swim teams which have called it home in recent years.
A Message from Marshall University President Brad D. Smith Regarding Marshall Athletics:
🔗: https://t.co/7BXP1X9YGc pic.twitter.com/HNL1YnoECy
— Marshall Athletics (@HerdZone) February 17, 2026
Marshall currently has 28 swimmers and divers. Of that group, 17 have already entered the transfer portal as they look for a new athletic home. Any students who remain at Marshall will continue to have scholarships honored.
The Herd has a 4-1 meet record this season, losing only to West Virginia in November.
Ian Walsh has led the program for the past six years and there have been notable accomplishments with 133 all-time top-10 performances, 26 individual podium finishes, eight school records and four individual conference champions.
Harrison and Smith say the cost of operating a Stunt program will be about $500,000 less per year when compared to swimming and diving. In addition, much of the infrastructure needed for the program is already on the Marshall campus.
Marshall hopes to start the women’s Stunt program with around 30 athletes, but that number could jump to as high as 65, the maximum roster allowed by the NCAA.