Printer-Friendly Format     E-mail this article

Program's first dual meet against Southern California highlights season slate.

Sept. 25, 2007

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The University of Notre Dame men's swimming and diving head coach Tim Welsh recently announced the 2007-08 schedule, which is one that he believes may be the toughest his program will face since beginning his tenure with the Irish in 1985.

"Looking ahead to this season, we've yet again put together a very ambitious schedule just as we have done for the last several years," said Welsh.

The season will start when the Irish play host to the 43rd annual Dennis Stark Relays (Oct. 5), followed two weeks later by a dual meet against Southern California. The matchup with the Trojans will be the first between the two of the more storied programs in collegiate swimming.

"It will be fun to have USC visit us the day before the school's football teams will compete," Welsh noted. "They are annually one of the leading teams in the nation with a stellar history, and we are thrilled to finally be able to compete with them.

Purdue - now home to the recently opened Boilermaker Aquatic Center, one of the most modern facilities in the state - will welcome Notre Dame and Texas A&M on Nov. 2. After visiting Pittsburgh (Nov. 9), the Irish will continue a historic rivalry when they host Cleveland State one week later (Nov. 16).

"The date with Cleveland State is one of the most traditional meets on our schedule," said Welsh. "They were the first team we faced after opening the Rolfs Aquatic Center in 1985. It's a nice touch of history that keeps us intact with how our program has grown throughout the years."

The Irish will get another test against some of the nation's finest teams at the Ohio State Invitational (Nov. 30-Dec. 2). After a few weeks of rest, the team's midseason winter training session in Florida coincide with a New Year's Day competition against Louisiana State in Ft. Lauderdale and an appearance in the Saint Andrews Invitational in Boca Raton on Jan. 5.

A trip to Northwestern (Jan. 19) sits between home dates against a rising Oakland program (Jan. 12), conference foe Louisville (Jan. 18), and the Shamrock Dual Meet Invitational (Jan. 25-26).

Ohio State will house the NCAA Zone C Diving event on March 14-15, and the NCAA Championships span from March 27-29 in Federal Way, Wash.