The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has announced that the Elkhart Health and Aquatics Center Elkhart, IN will host the (NIC) in 2021 and 2022.  The NIC is the largest and most innovative college swimming championship in the country. The Championships are scheduled for March 11-13, 2021 and March 10-12, 2022.

Developed between three partnership groups, and operated by Beacon Health Systems, a regional non-profit hospital system, the Aquatic Center was designed by WTI and features a 68-meter Myrtha Pool, all deep-water competition pool, and Colorado Timing Gen 7 Serial system.  Spectators will enjoy stadium seating, separate climate zone and spacious café and landing area.  The Aquatic Center also features an advanced source capture exhaust system removing chloramines and ensure the highest air quality for athletes and spectators alike. The event will bring over two thousand participants and spectators to Northern Indiana for each of the next two years. 

“We are excited to bring the NIC to Elkhart, excited to be in a pool designed, built and outfitted by the best in the business and excited to be a part of the revitalization of downtown,” explained Matt Zimmer, the CSCAA’s Director of Operations.  “Kevin [Milak, Aquatic Director] has over 20 years of experience of running athlete-centered events and his expertise, along with the support of the community, foundation, school district, and Sports Indiana make Elkhart the perfect location.”

“Myrtha Pools is extremely excited to partner with the CSCAA as the title sponsor of the 2021 & 2022 NIC,” explained Mike Mintenko, Director of Sales for Myrtha Pools.  “We are eager to showcase our newest major aquatic center. It’s a fast pool and we are confident that there will be some great performances.  

“We are proud to host the Championshpis, explained Kevin Milak, Aquatics Director for Elkhart Health and Aquatics.  “This is an extraordinary opportunity to bring some of the finest athletes and programs not only to our facility, but to our community. This facility was designed from the beginning to be a world-class experience for athletes, and spectators alike, in the middle of a vibrant, midwestern community”

“It was a pleasure to work with everyone involved with this project,” said Jenny Ruffner,  Colorado Time Systems’ Midwest Sales Manager. “The outcome is a prestigious aquatic facility with a state-of-the-art timing system and video display. This pool is an amazing addition to Elkhart and the swimming world, and Colorado Time Systems is proud to be a part of this accomplishment.”

“We’re excited to have designed this state-of-the-art pool. It allows multiple all-deep course configurations for the National Invitational Championship and its ability to accommodate multiple simultaneous events will keep NIC running smoothly,” said Steve Crocker, Director of Sports Swimming at Water Technology Inc.

The National Invitational Championship was created to serve a growing number of students wanting to participate in a national-level championship.  “The number of postseason opportunities has not kept up with the growth of Division I swimming and diving,” explained CSCAA Executive Director Greg Earhart. “The NIC provides a culminating event for those Division I students not selected for the NCAA Division I Championships.”

About the CSCAA

Founded in 1922, the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) is the first professional association of college coaches in the United States.  The CSCAA is dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming and diving at the collegiate level. The CSCAA works to

• protect, promote and expand competitive intercollegiate swimming and diving programs;

• recognize outstanding achievements by coaches, swimmers and divers;

• promote communication and cooperation within swimming and diving and with our partner National Governing Bodies, the NCAA, NAIA and Junior College Associations;

• provide ongoing educational and leadership training for coaches and athletes; and serve as a resource to its membership and for the general public.

About Myrtha Pools

Founded in Italy in 1961, Myrtha Pools is a world leader in the supply and installation of swimming pools and related products. Myrtha Pools has built swimming pools in over 70 countries and has structured and developed its exclusive technologies, specialising in made-to-measure competition pools for swimming, water polo, artistic swimming, high diving and diving.

About Beacon Health System

Beacon Health System is the largest, locally owned and operated non-profit health care system in the region. Beacon is our community's trusted partner and guide in creating and maintaining health as well as the majority provider of services to the underinsured and underserved. Community Hospital of Bremen, Elkhart General Hospital, Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Beacon Children's Hospital, Beacon Medical Group and Beacon Health & Fitness are powered by more than 7,000 associates and 1,100 physicians who provide the best care possible to people of all ages.

About Sports Indiana

Sports are a part of the landscape in Indiana. We are home to the NCAA, USA Gymnastics, USA Track & Field, USA Diving, and dozens more governing bodies. We have hosted more than 400 Collegiate and Olympic National and International Championships. But our sports tradition runs much deeper than these global events. sportsindiana.org