PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 7, 2021) – The Little East Conference (LEC) Presidents Council announced that Bridgewater State University will compete as an affiliate member in men’s and women’s swimming & diving beginning with the upcoming 2021-22 season. This increases the Bears affiliation with the LEC, as they are already affiliate members in field hockey and men’s and women’s tennis.
 
“On behalf of the Presidents Council of the Little East Conference, I am pleased to welcome Bridgewater State University men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs to our membership,” said Frank D. Sánchez, President of Rhode Island College and Chair of the LEC Presidents Council. “Bridgewater State University has been a longstanding partner in other LEC sports, and its mission aligns well with the LEC’s core membership as a public, New England institution.”
 
“Competing with the LEC for our swimming & diving programs is a great fit for our mission and values, as well as in the pool competitively,” said Bridgewater State Director of Athletics Marybeth Lamb. “Coming together will provide our student-athletes a great opportunity to take their swimming and diving to the next level. We are very excited for next year.”
 
BSU head coach Michael Caruso added “The Bridgewater State swimming & diving program is extremely excited to be joining the Little East Conference as an affiliate member. We believe the LEC not only has great teams to compete against, but a vision to grow and promote the sport of swimming & diving. We are looking forward to representing a strong and competitive conference.”
 
The addition of the Bridgewater State will increase the number of institutions that sponsor women’s swimming & diving to eight, and men’s swimming & diving to five. The Bears’ swimming & diving programs will compete against Eastern Connecticut State University (men and women), Keene State College (men and women), Plymouth State University (men and women), Rhode Island College (women), Western Connecticut State University (men and women), Western New England University (women) and Westfield State University (women).
 
The LEC will conduct its first-ever men’s swimming & diving championship in 2021-22. The LEC’s 21st championship sport was made possible by the addition of Bridgewater State, which follows the recent addition of men’s programs at Western Connecticut (2018), Eastern Connecticut (2019) and Plymouth State (2020). The 2021-22 campaign will also see the expansion of the LEC Championship from a one-day meet to a three-day event comprised of preliminary and finals sessions.
 
“Bridgewater State is a valued affiliate member in field hockey and tennis, and we are excited to partner with them in LEC swimming & diving as well,” said Pamela S. Samuelson, Commissioner of the Little East Conference. “Their programs will serve to elevate the depth and competitiveness in the sport and will allow for the first time, our men’s programs to have the opportunity to compete for a LEC championship.”
 
The Bears have been competing as a DIII independent in men’s swimming & diving. Both programs have been consistent top-five finishers at the New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Association (NEISDA) Championships in recent years. At the last NEISDA meet in 2020, Bridgewater State’s men’s team placed fourth of 14 teams, while the women’s program was fourth of 20 teams.