Local Grant for Statewide SWIMS Initiative Will Award $44,349 to Support Water & Swimming Safety Programs at SUNY Potsdam’s Maxcy Hall Pool
SUNY Potsdam has been awarded a grant through the NY SWIMS Initiative to expand swimming lessons and lifeguard certification programs at the Maxcy Hall Pool, working with community organizations. Seen here in the facility are SUNY Potsdam Bears swimming and diving team members Sophia Frenyea ’23 and Jake McCormack ’22.
SUNY Potsdam has been awarded a $44,349 New York State grant as part of the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative to expand access to swimming pools and prevent drowning. This was part of the first round of funding awarded to make SUNY pools community anchors across the state.
SUNY Potsdam will use the grant to make the Maxcy Hall Pool a community anchor for swimming programs in the North Country, by supporting physical education offerings and facility improvements, and expanding partnerships with Potsdam Middle School and Northern TRIBS Swimming, which runs swimming lessons and youth competitive programs on campus throughout the year.
“This investment will significantly enhance swimming lessons and programs to benefit both our students and our community,” said SUNY Potsdam Athletic Director Mark Misiak. “This support will allow SUNY Potsdam to expand access to life-saving skills and empower more individuals to take part in learn-to-swim programs and to become lifeguards—ensuring everyone has the opportunity enjoy and learn swimming in a safe and supportive environment.”
The historic $150 million NY SWIMS investment to support pools in underserved communities is New York's biggest investment in swimming since the New Deal. As part of the SWIMS Initiative, Governor Hochul has allocated nearly $2 million in the FY 2025 budget for SUNY campuses to offer lifeguard certification courses and expand access to learn-to-swim classes for youth. SUNY is collaborating with schools, municipalities, and youth and community-based organizations to increase learning and swimming opportunities across every region of the State. The SWIMS initiative also incentivizes SUNY students who are skilled swimmers to become lifeguards by covering the cost of lifeguard certification exams, and giving college credit to those who complete lifeguard training courses.
"We are thrilled to be chosen for this grant,” said Northern TRIBS Swimming Lesson Director Joshua Jock ’03. “We are striving to help make everyone a swimmer throughout our area. With this grant, we will expand our swim lesson program to include swimmers younger than the age of five. Kids at an early age will learn the life-saving skill of swimming in a safe space in an effort to prevent childhood drowning.”
“Congratulations to our SUNY campuses for earning a SWIMS grant to expand swimming programs and keep New York’s community pools and beaches safe,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “SUNY is proud to be a key partner in the SWIMS Initiative, and we are grateful for the generosity of Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature in issuing necessary funding for our campuses to help turn the SWIMS vision into a reality.”
Approximately 4,000 people in the United States drown each year, making drowning the leading cause of death for children under the age of five. Additionally, 64 percent of African American children and 45 percent of Hispanic or Latino children have little to no swimming skills.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.