[italic on]Its not surprising that were envied by every athletic center in the country,[italic off][fm]Tom Moe[fm]interim mens athletics director[fm]
Since opening its doors in 1990, the University Aquatic Center has been regarded as one of the best aquatics facilities in the nation and around the world.
[bold on]Annie B. Hua[bold off][fm][bold on][bold off][bold on][bold off]For The Daily[fm]
The University Aquatic Center celebrated its 10th anniversary yesterday with a splash.
After a performance by the Minnesota Diving Club, Dan Koch, called the Only Known Diving Trumpeter in the World, performed a back-gainer dive from a 10-meter platform wearing a full tuxedo and bow tie after playing the national anthem during the opening ceremony.
Since the University Aquatic Center first opened its doors in 1990, it has been regarded as one of the best aquatics facilities in the nation and around the world. The aquatic center is home to an impressive 50-meter competition pool as well as a separate diving well with four platforms and five springboards – making it the kind of facility other schools dream about.
More than 1,500 people a day use the centers facilities and programs, said Duane Proell, the centers director of aquatic and special event programs. Since its opening, it has been host to 481 events. More than 3 million participants have come to the center to swim and dive, play water polo, practice with their team or club, attend kinesiology classes and watch state and regional meets and competitions, Proell said.
Its not surprising that were envied by every athletic center in the country, said Tom Moe, interim mens athletics director, who spoke at the event.
The aquatic center was a vision and a promise to serve the University students, staff and the state of Minnesota, said Dr. Jim Turman, the events master of ceremonies, adding that the vision has now become a reality.
Kongzheng Li, coach for the Universitys mens and womens diving team, said, The University Aquatic Center is one of the finest facilities in the world.
And Li should know. As four-time Olympian and winner of a bronze medal for China in 1984, he has travelled to and used aquatic facilities all over the world. The first time Li saw the University Aquatic Center, he said he thought, Oh my God, its so beautiful. Very impressive. Even the decor and lighting were great, he said. Theres nothing compared to this pool, said Jaime Sanger, a member of the Minnesota Diving Club.
Sanger, a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, is a 2004 Olympic hopeful and has travelled extensively around the nation with the University of Tennessee diving team and the Minnesota Diving Club.
She said other facilities dont even come close, adding were spoiled here.