MSU Swimming Alumni Gather for Final Farewell at Historic
Over 500 Michigan State University swimming and diving alumni will attend a final reunion meet at the Charles McCaffree Pool on September 12, marking the
More than 500 former Michigan State University swimmers, divers, and their families will gather on Saturday, September 12, for a final farewell meet at the Charles McCaffree Pool. The event coincides with the 70th anniversary of the MSU Swimming and Diving Alumni Meet and precedes the demolition of the IM West building in spring 2027.
According to a press release posted by Swimming World, the meet will run from 11 a.m. To noon. The first alumni meet was held in 1956. The pool, named for Hall of Fame coach Charles McCaffree, opened in 1959 and served as the program's home until the men's and women's teams were eliminated after the 2020-21 season.
Notable Alumni Attending
A number of decorated alumni are planning to attend the final gathering. The list includes Olympic medalists, national champions, and Big Ten title holders.
| Alumni Name (Class) | Key Achievements |
|---|---|
| Gary Dilley (1967) | 1964 Olympic 200m backstroke silver medalist; 4-time National Champion; 8-time Big Ten Champion; 12-time All-American. |
| Jane Manchester (1976) | 3-time National Champion in diving (AIAW); 3-time Big Ten Champion; All-American. |
| Mary (Rozman) Mueting (1987) | 5-time Big Ten Champion; All-American. |
| Richard Crittenden (1970) | 2-time Big Ten Champion; All-American. |
| Shawn Elkins (1978) | 2-time Big Ten Champion in 200 butterfly. |
| Bob Lundquist (1982) | Big Ten Champion in 200 breaststroke. |
| Steve Leissner (1992) | Big Ten Champion in 200 IM; All-American; George Alderton MSU Male Athlete of the Year (1991). |
| Jami (Archambault) Anderson (1998) | Big Ten Champion in 100 backstroke; All-American. |
| Carly (Weiden) Clouse (2002) | 2-time Big Ten Champion in 3-meter diving; Big Ten Diver of the Year (2001, 2002). |
Teammates Dennis Hill (1966) and Joe Buys (1966) are also expected to join Gary Dilley.
A Bittersweet Legacy
The event marks a bittersweet goodbye to a facility that has witnessed decades of athletic success. The pool's closure follows the shuttering of the outdoor pool in 2018 and the elimination of the varsity program in October 2020.
The alumni community remains actively devoted to reinstating the teams. The press release states the gathering aims to demonstrate to Michigan State's new athletic department leadership that a foundation of support exists for a potential 100th season of Spartan Swim and Dive.
Program's Historic Achievements
In its 99-year history, the MSU Swimming and Diving program compiled an impressive record of accomplishments. The press release provided a summary of the program's legacy.
| Achievement Category | Total Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Champions | 8 | |
| Big Ten Champions | 127 | 47 men's, 80 women's titles. |
| All-Americans | 474 | 405 men's, 69 women's honors. |
| Olympic Swimmers & Divers | 20 | |
| Top Team GPA (2020) | 1st (Women), 6th (Men) | Women's team GPA was 3.87. |
The final alumni meet is organized by the Battle for Spartan Swim and Dive group. For more information, the release directs inquiries to Mindy Arbaugh.
