Inside the Delta State Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, is one of Mississippi’s finest collegiate swimming and diving facilities, the Delta State Aquatics Center.
Across the street from Young-Mauldin cafeteria and behind the Roberts-LaForge Library, the HPER building is easily accessible, located in the midst of all campus action. From the front entrance of the HPER building, the Aquatics Center is located on the right. Outside the pool, a trophy case sits against the wall, which serves as a reminder of the historic success Delta State’s swimming and diving program has achieved. While many records have been shattered at the Delta State Aquatics Center, the beauty of the facility is what really sets the center apart. On a sunny day, the water sparkles under the sunlight pouring in from the many windows lining the walls overlooking the Delta State campus, making it one of the most picturesque facilities in intercollegiate athletics.
The center was designed by Singleton Architects, P.A. and built by Roy Collins Construction, Inc. Funding for the $6.2 million project was provided by the Mississippi Legislature during its 1998 and 1999 sessions.
Construction on the facility was completed on Jan. 10, 2001. Former head coach and current Delta State Athletic Director and Director of Aquatics, Ronnie Mayers, oversaw the transformation and led the first official competition in the new facility on Jan. 20, 2001.
Known as one of the nation’s top collegiate swim coaches, Mayers began his career as an instructor in DSU Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 1976. He was the head coach of the Delta State men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams for 20 years where his teams captured five women’s New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference titles in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2002 and four men’s championships in 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2002. Under Mayers’ leadership, the Lady Statesmen made 15 NCAA Division II National Championship appearances and produced 56 individual All-Americans and 21 Academic All-Americans. For his efforts, he earned 14 NSISC Coach of the Year honors throughout his career.
The Aquatics Center includes a 60-meter by 25-yard pool with moveable bulkheads, plus a separate diving well. The facility has enough seating capacity to accommodate over 2,500 swimming enthusiasts, while including men’s and women’s dressing rooms, athletic training area, offices for the staff and two large classrooms.
The Aquatics Center emphasizes classroom-instruction, competition, fitness lap swimming, therapy and recreation.
The facility was recently renovated in the fall of 2013 to enhance the visitor/fan experience, and increase the venue’s hold as one of the top competition swimming and diving sites in the Mid-South.
The facility underwent major changes to the press box and meet management areas. New bathrooms were added on the second level to ease congestion during large events. However, the most noticeable addition was the creation of a new state-of-the-art video scoreboard on the east side of the venue. The board features full instant-replay and video play back, while also serving as a high definition display for various events on campus.
A new sound system, including sound-dampering technology, was also installed to help create a richer, more vibrant atmosphere during meets and campus events.
Since the center’s completion in 2001, Delta State has hosted the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference Championships, state and local high school championships, as well as numerous amateur and recreation events.
Video Below: Glimpse of a meet and long course drone video.
