St. Mary’s Expands Athletics with New Swimming and Water Polo Teams

College sports keep shifting, but St. Mary’s College has just made a bold move. They’re launching men’s and women’s swimming and water polo teams, expanding their varsity sports lineup from 18 to 22.

This announcement comes as other schools are cutting back, mostly because of money troubles. St. Mary’s new programs will roll out in the 2026-27 academic year, showing the college wants to give students more ways to get involved.

St. Mary’s College Expands Athletic Programs

St. Mary’s is adding four new aquatic teams: men’s and women’s swimming, plus men’s and women’s water polo. That brings their varsity sports count up to 22.

The college hopes this expansion will open more doors for student-athletes. It’s also part of a bigger plan to make campus life more vibrant for everyone.

The Timing of the Announcement

This news drops while a lot of college athletic departments are feeling the pinch. The recent House settlement means schools must share up to $20.5 million with student-athletes in 2025-26.

That’s a heavy lift for colleges without football programs—like St. Mary’s. Still, they’re pressing ahead, betting on the Bay Area’s love for aquatic sports to help make it work.

Strategic Vision and Community Support

Roger Thompson, St. Mary’s president, says giving students more choices is key. He believes adding swimming and water polo lines up with the school’s mission to boost experiences in sports, academics, and the arts.

Thompson sounds hopeful that the Bay Area’s strong swimming and water polo communities will back these new teams. He’s counting on local support.

Financial Considerations and Fundraising

Thompson didn’t share exact costs for the new teams, but he admits it won’t be cheap. He’s hoping the community will step up with donations and fundraising.

The college wants to build a top-notch aquatics facility, and donor support will be crucial. Alumni involvement is going to matter, too.

Impact on Student-Athletes and the Community

The new aquatic programs should start with about 80 student-athletes. That number might grow to 100 down the road.

More students will get the chance to compete, and St. Mary’s could gain some athletic prestige. The teams will join established conferences: swimming in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, men’s water polo in the West Coast Conference, and women’s water polo in the Golden Coast Conference.

Facilities and Training

Until they have their own pool, St. Mary’s will team up with Campolindo High School in Moraga. Their Olympic-size pool at the Soda Aquatics Center will be home base for now.

Eventually, St. Mary’s wants to build a modern aquatics center on campus. That’s the long game: a real hub for swimming and water polo.

Broader Implications for College Sports

St. Mary’s decision stands out, since a lot of colleges are cutting aquatic programs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Concordia University Irvine both dropped swimming recently, blaming financial fallout from the House settlement.

Thompson worries about the future of Olympic sports in college. He thinks keeping these programs alive is crucial for developing future Olympians.

Community and Alumni Reactions

The local community seems excited, and some alumni are cheering too. Maggie Steffens, who grew up in the East Bay and won three Olympic golds in women’s water polo, called the move important.

She sees it as a way to help the next generation chase their athletic dreams—and maybe even reach the global stage.

Conclusion

St. Mary’s College decided to add men’s and women’s swimming and water polo teams. That’s a pretty bold move, honestly, and it fits with the college’s push to offer more for students.