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MURFREESBORO, N.C. – Â鶹ÊÓƵ President, Dr. M. Christopher White, and Chowan Athletics announce the addition of men's swimming as the Hawks' 19th NCAA sport for the 2018-19 academic year to compete alongside the women's program.  Recruiting for the program will begin immediately.

"We are thrilled to announce the addition of the men's swimming program here at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, giving us our 19th NCAA sport," said Athletic Director Patrick Mashuda.  "Another team getting to compete in the Bynum Brown Aquatic Center is a welcomed addition to our athletic footprint."

"The women's swim team has been a tremendous success," stated Dr. White.  "I anticipate the men's team will too.  Men's swimming is just another step on Chowan's road to greatness."

Current head women's coach  will also handle coaching duties for the new men's program.  Hood was hired in May of 2015 and currently in his second season finishing 11th overall in a strong Bluegrass Mountain Conference.

"I am thrilled about the addition of the men's swimming program," stated Matt Hood. "It will add a new dynamic to the swim program, which will help everyone compete at a higher level.  It will bring a stronger energy and excitement to the competition environment at home and on the road. We will be following a similar plan as we did with the women's program by bringing in a strong core group of swimmers who will be competitive from the beginning and ready to continue improving."

Chowan will become the fifth member of the Conference Carolinas with both men's and women's swimming programs making men's swimming an emerging Conference Carolinas sport.  Barton, Emmanuel, King (Tenn.), Lees-McRae, and Limestone feature both programs as Converse has only women.

Competition for the Men's program will begin during the 2018-19 season alongside the women's program starting their third season.