Florida State University Athletics
Morcom Aquatics Center Celebrates 10 years Since Dedication
9/20/2018 5:11:03 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Morcom Aquatics Center, the home of the Florida State swimming and diving was dedicated 10 years ago today – on Sept. 20, 2008.
“We are so grateful to have such a beautiful home like Morcom,” FSU head coach Neal Studd said. “It is such a pleasure to come here every day. We are so thankful to Russ and Genie (Morcom) for their support as they’ve helped this program immensely with their generosity over the past decade.”
In addition to serving as the home of the Seminoles for practice and competition, the Morcom Aquatics Center is a staple for local high school practices and meets and is also open to the FSU student community and the public seven days a week.
The facility also holds the Tallahassee Youth Triathlon Series and is also home to Club Seminole and Tomahawk Diving.
The Seminoles during competition at the Morcom Aquatics Center
The Morcom Aquatics Center has also been utilized by USA Diving, who has held numerous meets including the 2013 World Championship Trials and the 2014 U.S. World Cup Synchro Trials, where FSU student-athletes competed with some of the best divers in the world. During these competitions, Katrina Young took advantage of her home pool and earned bid to the 2013 World University Games and the 2014 World Cup while Kelsey Goodman qualified for a FINA Grand Prix in Mexico in 2013.
In addition to high profile meets, the facility also serves as an ideal site for training camps. Both the USA and British Diving teams have utilized the diving area multiple times prior to major international meets.
The Morcom Aquatics Center has hosted some high profile events for USA Diving featuring several Olympic medalists
Over the past 10 seasons, the facility has seen several upgrades including a new diving dryland area, starting blocks, lane ropes and flags.
Named after Russ and Genie Morcom, who provided the lead gift to the facility, the Morcorm’s are avid supporters of FSU athletics. Russ earned a degree from Florida State in engineering and served two terms as chairman of Seminole Boosters. He was also named a Trustee to the FSU Foundation Board and the FSU Alumni Association inducted him into the Circle of Gold.
In 2014, Russ was selected as the Moore-Stone Award winner and was elected in the FSU Hall of Fame.
“We’re so pleased with the way the facility turned out and appreciate all the hard work that went into its planning and construction,” Morcom said. “For us, it has been a wonderful place to meet our student-athletes, develop friendships with our coaches and attend competitions. We are especially looking forward to this year’s active home schedule and hope many FSU fans will come out to see the swimming and diving team in action.”
Russ and Genie Morcom pose with team captains Ed Denton, Jessie Carr (Douglas) and Kylen Huntwork during the dedication of the event on Sept. 20, 2008
The Seminoles will compete at the facility seven times during the 2018-19 season, starting with the Garnet vs. Gold meet, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sept. 29.
For more information, visit FSU swimming and diving on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.