NEWS & RESULTS

05/17/05 - U-M Synchro receives Varsity Club Status

(From United States Synchronized Swimming press release)

Ann Arbor, Mich. – University of Michigan's coaches Becky Domegan and Stephanie Sherk have received notice that UM has granted their program Varsity Club status. They received the exciting news on May 17, from Jan Wells, University of Michigan's Intramural Sports Associate Director.

University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming will now join a prestigious group of sports, including men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, men's rowing and women's synchronized skating, which have been promoted to Varsity Club Status in previous years. Although Varsity Club Status does not count towards NCAA Emerging Program numbers as a Varsity program, it does elevate the team to a higher status on campus, in Club Sports and in the Athletic Department.

Of the 35 general level club teams at the University of Michigan, not many teams are qualified to even apply for Varsity Club. The strict eligibility guidelines include a detailed analysis of their budget and budget forecasts, coaches' qualifications, student-athlete requirements, competition schedules and practice hours. The team also has to provide a mission statement and a five-year strategic plan and goals.

The University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming team will now enjoy a variety of benefits associated with Varsity Club status, which include: more administrative assistance, greater involvement in gift receiving with more donor privileges, help with uniform purchases, and campus recognition. They will also be in more direct communication with the Athletic Department and will be linked to the Athletic Department web site (http://www.mgoblue.com).

Jan Wells was very pleased to deliver the good news to the University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming team. Wells, in a telephone interview said, “The work that Becky, Stephanie and the UM synchronized swimming team, in building the program and hosting the 2004 Collegiate Championships, has shown dedication to the team and the sport. This is well deserved recognition.”

U.S. Synchronized Swimming would like to congratulate the University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming team for all their efforts and for their Varsity Club status recognition. Terry Harper, Executive Director of U.S. Synchronized Swimming, commented “The University of Michigan Synchro team is a great role model for other collegiate teams. Becky and Stephanie have worked very hard to get this recognition. When one program succeeds, it motivates others to try. They will make the UM Athletic Department proud of its decision. I am pleased that our National Office was able to help the team in their effort.”

The team's coaches also offered their thanks to the many people who wrote letters of support to the University of Michigan. “We are very grateful to the National Office staff and the collegiate coaches who have mentored us through the year,” said Domegan. “The recognition that our program has received would not be happening if it weren't for the hard work that you do!”

For more information about the University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming program, please visit their web site at http://www.umich.edu/~synchro/.