Bentley University’s Swim and Dive team is one of the school’s most accomplished athletic programs and it is proven with success stories – in and out of the pool. But without increased financial support, that legacy is at risk. We need to invest in this program now.
Bentley’s swim and dive team represents everything the university claims to value such as academic excellence, athletic achievement, and community engagement. With an 8-3 record for the men’s team in the 2024-25 season and standout performances from the women’s team, the program is thriving competitively. Yet, it continues to operate under serious financial strain, relying on donations and fundraising efforts just to stay afloat. That is unacceptable for a team that does so much for the university. Bentley must commit more funding to ensure the future of this program.
The team’s results speak volumes. The men’s squad went undefeated at home (7-0) this season, while the women’s team saw athletes like Hilla Almog earn gold medals at the Northeast-10 Championships. The team has broken more than 40 school records in the past five years. These athletes wake up before sunrise to train, compete on weekends and still maintain academic honors. Bentley athletes regularly make the NE10 Academic All-Conference Team, and the university boasts a 98 percent student-athlete graduation rate, the second highest in NCAA Division II.
Despite this success, the team has to scramble for basic resources. Athletes often buy their own training gear, team travel is limited by cost and pool time is shared and restricted. Even during Bentley’s Falcons Forward Giving Day, the swim and dive team has to campaign aggressively just to meet fundraising goals. This reflects not a lack of commitment by the athletes, but a lack of institutional support.
Without proper funding, recruiting becomes harder. Prospective student-athletes see the limited resources and understandably look elsewhere – often to rival programs in the same conference that have superior training environments. This hurts not just the team, but Bentley’s reputation in the long run. A well-supported swim and dive program would serve as a powerful recruiting tool for the university, drawing in driven, talented students who are committed to academic and athletic excellence.
It’s also about equity and community. Swimming and diving are co-ed sports, offering opportunities for both men and women. The team has also partnered with Team IMPACT, recently signing 16-year-old Cory Graziosi – a Waltham teen with Down syndrome – as an honorary member. This isn’t just a sports team. It’s a family that reflects Bentley’s values in action; but a family can’t grow – or even survive – without resources.
Other NE10 schools like Assumption University and Southern Connecticut State have invested in their programs. They’re building better facilities, offering stronger scholarships, and attracting high-caliber athletes. Bentley has the talent and the potential to stay competitive, but without increased funding, that edge is at risk.
