Victoria Gonzalez | Vaquero Radio
UTRGV Athletics welcomed Betsy Graham, the first head women’s swimming and diving coach, during a news conference Wednesday via Zoom.
Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said how excited he is to welcome Graham to the Rio Grande Valley.
“Here we are starting yet another program, starting women’s swimming and diving,” Conque said. “We had great interest, great national interest, but from the very beginning, coach Graham stood out. She brings so much to the table.”
With over 30 years of coaching experience, she was also a student-athlete during her high school and college years. In 2006, she started her own men’s swimming and diving program at Catawba College in North Carolina.
Having to deal with less than a full calendar year to prepare a brand new swimming team, Graham addressed the responsibilities this carries.
“I think the challenge right now is that most of the recruiting for ’24 has been done,” Graham said. “However, I’ve definitely just in the last couple of days have found some very good recruits and talent that is still, you know, looking for a home.”
Alongside building the first women’s swimming and diving program in UTRGV history, Graham shared what she looks for in student-athletes when recruiting.
“I look for the athletes who have a strong background in academics,” she said. “They’re going to be the people that want to get their degree, be good in the pool and just be all around good people.”
Graham said the program’s door is open to everybody. She sent a message to high school athletes wanting to continue their career after graduating with her to be strong competitors.
This is Victoria Gonzalez for Vaquero Radio.
