HOUSTON, Texas — Rice University will reinstate women's diving as a varsity program beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland announced on Tuesday. 

The Owls initially sponsored diving from 1975, when the first women's swimming and diving team competed at the AIAW Division II level, through 1991 at the NCAA Division 1 level before the sport was discontinued due to constraints related to changes in NCAA specifications for pool facilities. 

They have annually outscored their opponents in the swimming portion of the conference championship, including last season's inaugural appearance at the American Athletic Conference meet. 

"Year after year, our swimmers have produced championship-caliber results and countless event champions, but the lack of diving points has prevented them from standing at the top of the podium as a team," said McClelland. "We are committed to winning our conference in every sport, and the return of the diving team is a vital step forward."

"The Olympic Games have always been a showcase for the sports of swimming and diving, and what better way to build off of that interest of this summer's games in Paris than with the return of diving to Rice in the fall?" McClelland added.

"After 30 years as a collegiate head coach, this will be a first for me to be the head coach of a swimming and diving team," Rice head swimming coach Seth Huston said. "This is a great day for our program and speaks to the commitment Rice University has made not only to our program but to the Athletics Department as well. A big thanks to President DesRoches, Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland, our Board of Trustees, SWA Stacy Mosely, and our sport administrator Tina Villard for doing all the heavy lifting to make this happen. The future looks bright for the Rice women's swimming and diving team. Go Owls!"

With Rice adding diving, all seven schools competing in the American Athletic Conference (East Carolina, FAU, FIU, North Texas SMU, and Tulane) will sponsor both women's swimming and diving beginning next fall. 

Seth Huston Q&A

1. Why is now the time to restart a diving team at Rice?

Huston: Adding diving to our program coincides with the AAC announcing it will be one of two conferences to add a diving team event to the conference championship event list beginning this year.  By adding diving to our program, we will be able to compete in those four events and improve our chances of competing for an AAC title in the future.

2. Who will coach the team?

Huston: We will begin our search immediately to add an assistant coach to handle diving. We will be looking for an accomplished diving coach who not only has the technical expertise but invests in the individuals they are coaching and will integrate into our current staff as a team player. Interested persons can apply through the Rice University job board.

3. How many divers will we add in year one, and how many in total?

Huston: We will be recruiting to add two or three divers for this inaugural season. In the future, we'll look to add several divers to our roster each year.

4. Are you looking to add freshmen or transfers?

Huston: We will look to add both freshmen and transfers as we build the program.

5. Where will they train and compete?

Huston: The Rice Competition Pool at the Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center has two one-meter and two three-meter diving boards. We will be adding equipment such as a hot tub, video equipment, and heat lamps to accommodate their training. The athletic department is pursuing options for 10-meter training and creating a diving dry room with tumbling, dry board, and trampoline equipment. Initially, we plan to use the Gymnast Factory in nearby Rice Village for movement training on land.

6. How will diving competitions be conducted during home meets at Rice?

Huston: Future home meets will now highlight both swimming and diving events in the traditional dual meet and invitational formats.

7. How does the postseason work for diving? How does this impact swimming championships?

Huston: In-season dual meets generally offer two diving events in the 13- and 16-event formats. The AAC Championships have three individual diving events in addition to the new team event (similar to a swimming relay), which means four of the 22 events during the championship come from diving. Currently, our program annually opens the championship meet down 32-0 since we cannot earn points from diving. Adding a diving team increases the total possible amount of points our team can score at any event, whether regular or postseason.

Diving selects NCAA Championship qualifiers by competing in one of four zone championships the week prior to the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Each zone and each event has a certain number of qualifiers based on scoring and rankings at each zone.

8. How can fans of Rice athletics help support the return of diving?

Huston: Our fans can share our great news, let us know if they are aware of any prospects for the future, and, of course, support us by coming out to our home meets. Also, taking the plunge into the sport will require additional financial support to help ensure the best experience for our athletes.