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College of Charleston's Athletic Department to Terminate Swimming and Diving Programs after 2014-15 Season

After 40 seasons and three Coastal Collegiate Swim Association Conference championships (2008, 2009, & 2012), College of Charleston's NCAA Division I men's and women's swimming and diving programs will no longer compete after the 2014 – 15 season, and the 40-year-old Stern Center Pool will close after the Spring semester 2015.

C of C's Swimming and Diving

College of Charleston's athletic department came to this conclusion after reviewing a year long study of the program's finances. According to Joe Hull, athletic director, the main problem is the swimming and diving facilities. The pool requires weekly maintenance and replacing the HVAC system would cost upwards of $1.5 million. “It was concluded that the financial costs to maintain and repair the facilities were too much to overcome,” Hull said.  Click here for Hull's full statement.

“The state, as an important source of funding for our university, should be very reluctant to allow the removal of our program at the College,” diving coach Stephen Julka said in an article published on Cisternyard Media Online.

College of Charleston will still honor all scholarship commitments to the swimming and diving athletes. They will also be granted a release enabling them to compete in the 2015 – 16 season should they decide to transfer.

“A lot of people have committed four years of their loyalty to this team and now they have to consider taking that elsewhere. They've created a home here and now it's being torn apart by one decision made by a few people,” senior captain Joshua Shaffer said in an article published on Cisternyard Media Online.

The athletics department and the school's administration will provide access to recreational and competitive swimming; furthermore, the College is working with the City of Charleston to use its downtown pool facility that is currently being used by the Southern Marlins Racing Team, an affiliate of USA Swimming.

College of Charleston's swimming and diving teams still have eight regular season matchups for the remainder of the 2014 – 15 season. Two of these matchups, Jan. 23 – 24, are home games at the Stern Center Pool, so go support the Cougars and help these athletes end their season with a bang!

Jacqueline Luna-Castro, Student Athlete

Being a student athlete can be extremely challenging, having to balance school, sports, and a social life. College of Charleston's own Jacqueline Luna-Castro shows 'em how it's done as the starting power forward for the Cougar's women's basketball team.

Jacqueline Luna-Castro, 21, Junior, Communication Major

Luna-Castro is from Boise, Idaho and began playing basketball in the third grade. In her youth, spending time with friends and family, going to the beach and shopping, playing volleyball and softball, and watching her favorite soccer teams, Luna-Castro found her heart in basketball.

Luna-Castro attended Boise Senior High School where her basketball career found fruition. She earned three varsity letters in basketball, was named the 2010-2011 Gatorade Idaho girls basketball player of the year, the Southern Idaho Conference player of the year, and the MVP of Boise Senior High School. She helped her team to an undefeated regular season and the district championship, and was named to the Idaho State 1^st team.

Boise Senior High School Girl's Basketball Team

During her high school tenure, Luna-Castro was recruited by Boise State, Seattle University, Long Beach State, Montana State, University of Montana, University of San Francisco, University of Portland, and Portland State. However, she began her college career at the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she played in 25 games for the Gauchos and helped them to win the Big West Championship.

Luna-Castro and the Big West Championship Trophy

Through recruitment, Luna-Castro earned a division one basketball scholarship to the College of Charleston. Luna-Castro is now the starting power forward for the women's basketball program. “I love playing power forward because it allows me to play on the block and also extend out so that I can shoot,” she explained.

Luna-Castro's Cougar Jump Shot

Considering these accomplishments, one would be surprised to find out that Luna-Castro has played for four different coaching staffs, two at UCSB and two at the College of Charleston. This has caused some difficulty for Luna-Castro as she “can't really get comfortable.”

Luna-Castro came to the College of Charleston during Natasha Adair's (2012 – 2014) stay as head coach. However, earlier this year Adair left C of C for the head coaching job at Georgetown. This was surprising to the women's basketball team because “[they] found out through social media.” Candice Jackson was appointed as the new head coach, and she is Luna-Castro's favorite so far because “she is challenging but realistic, I am finally getting better.”

Luna-Castro contributes her ability to be successful through these challenges to the lessons her parents taught her growing up. “They taught me to work hard, be selfless, appreciate your family and friends, and always do the right thing,” she said.

Luna-Castro aspires to be in the WNBA and play basketball for a living. After a successful basketball career, Luna-Castro would love to “have [her] own business or non profit.” “I enjoy doing community service and spending time with the homeless and with animals,” she said. If she were not playing basketball, she “would probably be even more active in the community.”

“I think it's really important to enjoy your life, the people around you, stay positive, help others, and work hard to be the best version of you and accomplish your goals,” she said.