MSU Swimming Alumni to Gather for Final Farewell at IM West
Over 400 Michigan State University swimming and diving alumni will attend a final reunion meet at the Charles McCaffree Pool on September 12, ahead of the
More than 400 former Michigan State University swimmers, divers, and their families are expected to attend a final alumni meet at the Charles McCaffree Pool on Saturday, September 12. The event marks the 70th anniversary of the MSU Swimming and Diving Alumni Meet and a farewell to the IM West building, which is scheduled for demolition in spring 2027.
The meet will run from 11 a.m. To 12 p.m. At the pool that opened in 1959 and served as the program's final home before its elimination following the 2020-21 season. The first alumni meet was held in 1956.
Notable Alumni Attending
A roster of distinguished program alumni plan to attend the final gathering. The list includes Olympic medalists, national champions, and Big Ten title holders.
| 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 (diving); 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 (200 butterfly) |
| Bob Lundquist (1982) | Big Ten Champion (200 breaststroke) |
| Steve Leissner (1992) | Big Ten Champion (200 IM); All-American; MSU Male Athlete of the Year (1991) |
| Jami (Archambault) Anderson (1998) | Big Ten Champion (100 backstroke); All-American |
Dilley's teammates Dennis Hill (1966) and Joe Buys (1966) are also planning to attend.
A Bittersweet Goodbye
The event is described as a bittersweet goodbye to the pool named for Hall of Fame coach Charles McCaffree. The report notes the closure of the outdoor pool in 2018 and the elimination of the varsity program in October 2020 as preceding this final chapter for the facility.
Despite the program's current inactive status, the alumni community remains engaged. The source states the group is "devoted to the fight to reinstate the men’s and women’s teams." The farewell meet is also framed as a demonstration of support for a potential 100th season of MSU Swim and Dive.
Program Legacy and Achievements
In its 99-year history, the MSU Swimming and Diving program compiled a significant record of success. The report provides a summary of the program's accolades.
| Achievement Category | Total Count |
|---|---|
| National Champions | 8 |
| Big Ten Champions | 127 (47 men’s, 80 women’s) |
| All-Americans | 474 (405 men’s, 69 women’s) |
| Olympic Swimmers and Divers | 20 |
The program also achieved academic success, with the women's team posting the top team GPA in the U.S. (3.87) and the men's team ranking sixth nationally in 2020.
The source expresses enthusiasm for the gathering, stating it will "celebrate this legendary program and the people who drove its success." For more information about the 70th Anniversary Alumni Meet, the report directs inquiries to Mindy Arbaugh.
