Longtime Lincoln East High School swimming and diving coach Greg Fleming will lead Nebraska Wesleyan University's new swimming program.
In June, the university announced the addition of swimming as a varsity sport in the 2014-2015 school year. When competition begins, NWU will have the state's only collegiate men's swimming program.
“Nebraska Wesleyan prides itself in providing a positive educational experience to our student-athletes, and this will enable us to do so for an additional group of students,” said Ira Zeff, director of athletics. “I am confident that our new swim teams will continue to add to the rich tradition of excellence that Nebraska Wesleyan athletics is known for.”
NWU swimmers will utilize the six-lane, 25-yard swimming pool, located in the Marion and Marian Weary Health and Fitness Center. Nebraska Wesleyan will participate in NCAA Division III varsity competitions, and will be able to host meets at its campus pool. The program will not include diving.
"The addition of men's and women's swimming provides yet another opportunity for our students to compete in intercollegiate athletics while experiencing a fine liberal arts education," said President Fred Ohles. "We have a rich history of producing successful student athletes both in and outside of the classroom, and I look forward to seeing that success continue."
The addition of men’s and women’s swimming brings the total number of NWU varsity sports to 20, with approximately 25 percent of the student body participating in intercollegiate athletics.
NWU athletes have earned numerous academic and athletic honors including 140 Academic All-America Awards — ranking eighth among all schools at all levels — and 45 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.
Fleming most recently coached swimming and diving at Lincoln East High School for the past 29 years. He had a combined dual record of 496-32, winning two state championships and nine state runner-up finishes. He had a combined 94 state individual/relay event state champions and coached 35 All-Americans. In 2012 he was named Nebraska Swimming Coaches Association Boys Coach of the Year and has twice been named Swimming Coach of the Year by the Nebraska Coaches Association.