What does Winning Tradition really mean? Is it never finishing lower than second in two different conferences over the past 20 years? Is it the fact that we have not suffered a losing season in over 15 years or sent swimmers and divers to compete at the national championships 17 of the last 19 years? Is it the fact that since joining the SCAC we have won 6 SCAC championships and just won our fourth straight? Maybe it is the fact that last year we finished 11 in the country at the Division III championships or that both the SCAC swim of the year and the SCAC swimmer of the championship meet were different DePauw swimmers. Maybe it is as simple as the sign that hangs in our weight room that says, “DePauw never quits”?

To me as a coach, it is part of the expectation that we have every year at the start of the season: that we will compete not as individuals, but as a committed and unified team with the goal of winning conference and competing with the best at the NCAA national championships. It is reflected in the fact that our alumni stay actively involved in our program. Perhaps it is best reflected in our team mission statement when we say:

 Finally and above all else you must work to create an environment of team first. You must create an environment that puts the needs of your teammates ahead of yours and encourages hard work and dedication. At the end of the day you must be able to say I gave as much back to this team and the DePauw community as it gave me.

This type of commitment to each other and to upholding the winning ways of our program not only ensures our program’s success, but also makes sure that each swimmer and diver prospers in an environment that pushes them to be the very best they can be. In 2005 swimmer Kiel Beehler had this to say about what it means to be a part of the DePauw Swimming and Diving team .(Click here)
Winning at DePauw is a part of our very fabric. Winning results only from hard work and the commitment you have to your teammate swimming next to you.