Bucknell natatorium approved as PIAA swimming and diving competition site

Lewisburg, Pa. — Bucknell University’s Kinney Natatorium has been approved to remain the site of the PIAA Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming and Diving Championships through 2028, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) announced this week.

Located within the Kenneth Langone Athletics and Recreation Center, Kinney Natatorium opened in October of 2002 and has served as the home of Pennsylvania’s high school swimming and diving championship meet every year since 2005, with the exception of 2021 when the event was relocated due to COVID-related restrictions. The four-day meet brings nearly 1,000 of the top swimmers and divers from all over the state together every March. Sellout crowds regularly attend the meet, and it is televised on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN).

The Kinney Natatorium was already a renowned aquatics facility. To make it even better, it is in the midst of a significant enhancement project.

Last September, an anonymous alumni couple pledged $1.65 million to replace the pool's two moveable bulkheads, two new high-definition video boards, a new Colorado Timing System, updates to the facility's audio system, and the installation of permanent PTZ cameras for live competition streaming and direct video feeds to the new video boards.

Many of these enhancements will be implemented in time for the 2025 PIAA Championships, with full completion expected before the start of the Fall 2025 semester.

“Bucknell is proud to boast a first-class aquatics center, and the PIAA Championships represent a wonderful opportunity to show off Kinney Natatorium, our beautiful campus, and the charm of Lewisburg to visitors from all over the state of Pennsylvania every March,” said Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Jermaine Truax. “I am extremely grateful to our generous donors who have funded this exciting enhancement project, which will keep Bucknell positioned to host major swimming and water polo championship events for many years to come.”

“The PIAA is proud to announce that Bucknell University will continue to serve as host of the PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships for the next four school years, spanning 2025-28,” said PIAA Executive Director Dr. Robert A. Lombardi. “PIAA is thrilled to continue our relationship with Bucknell University and Kinney Natatorium under the leadership of Tim Pavlechko, Gina Stockdale, Ian Dye, and Matt Stephens. Their assistance and cooperation in hosting a first-class championship at a tremendous venue provide the opportunity for our swimmers and divers to perform at the highest level. We are thankful to the Bucknell administration for their continued support of our championships.”

Outside of the PIAA swimming and diving competitions, Kinney Natatorium is home to Bucknell men's and women's swimming and diving and water polo programs. The multi-purpose venue features a 50-meter by 25-yard Olympic class pool and also enhances the recreational aquatics opportunities for the Bucknell community. The two moveable bulkheads allow for multiple activities to take place simultaneously.

The facility has hosted several major events, most notably the 2005 NCAA Men’s Water Polo Championship. Every other year the Patriot League Swimming and Diving Championships are contested in Kinney, and it has also played host to several Eastern water polo championships and an exhibition game against the U.S. women's water polo national team.

“The Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau is thrilled that the PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships is continuing its relationship with Bucknell University and Kinney Natatorium for four more years,” stated Visitor Bureau Executive Director Andrew Miller. “We have been welcoming PIAA officials, teams, coaches, and fans to the Susquehanna River Valley since 2005, and by the end of this new contract, we will have had the privilege of welcoming them for more than two decades. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to showcase the river valley to all PIAA guests during its March event and welcome its positive impact on the visitor economy for the region.”

The 2025 PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships are slated for March 12-15.