Trojan Swimming Makes a Splash: Excitement Builds Over Donaghey Aquatics Center Pool Upgrades

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Little Rock Swimming & Diving Facility Enhancement Campaign has delivered a resounding success, raising nearly $150,000 and fully funding every priority identified in the original investment plan. This milestone reflects the extraordinary commitment of Trojan alumni and supporters and represents a major step forward for the program and the Donaghey Aquatics Center Pool.

For decades, the Donaghey pool has served as more than a training venue—it has been a home where champions are made. Generations of student-athletes have been shaped here, developing not only championship performances, but also the discipline, leadership, and resilience that define the Trojan standard.

"These upgrades are about much more than equipment," said head coach Nathan Townsend. "They represent belief in our vision and investment in the future of our program."

Elevating Performance, Safety, and Standards
The completed enhancements elevate the daily training environment, improve competition standards, and reaffirm Little Rock's commitment to student-athlete safety, performance, and long-term excellence, ensuring the facility's legacy continues for years to come.

Among the most significant upgrades is the installation of Myrtha Olympic-style starting blocks, bringing the pool in line with elite collegiate and international competition standards. Featuring integrated wedges and backstroke ledges, the new blocks improve reaction time, race execution, and overall performance from the moment swimmers leave the wall.

New competition lane lines and drain covers further enhance race conditions by reducing wave resistance and turbulence, creating a faster and more consistent swimming environment while ensuring long-term durability for the facility.

Safety has also been a major focus of the campaign. Non-skid plastic bulkhead panels have been installed along both sides and walking surfaces, significantly reducing the risk of slips and injuries during practices and meets, and creating a safer, more professional on-deck experience for athletes, coaches, and officials.

Completing the facility upgrades are modern Colorado relay start pads and updated in-deck wiring, bringing precision timing and advanced performance-tracking technology to both training and competition.

"With the addition of new lane lines, backstroke flags, and starting blocks, the pool truly looks and feels like the home of the Trojans," Townsend said. "We've also revamped our visiting team locker rooms to create a more welcoming experience, and we're continuing to improve our facility, including a full renovation of the pump room planned for this summer."

Impact Felt by Student-Athletes
Current Trojan swimmers have already felt the impact of the improvements.

"I am very grateful for the recent upgrades to our pool," said junior Adara Stoddard. "These renovations show how much our donors believe in our program and want to see it continue to grow. The new starting blocks, lane ropes, and other improvements have already made a difference in our training by creating a more exciting and focused environment. My team and I are excited to compete with these upgrades and look forward to showing them off to visiting teams while also making our supporters proud with our results."

Sixth-year senior Gabriella O'Neil echoed that sentiment.

"I'm super excited for all of the phenomenal improvements our facility is undergoing," O'Neil said. "These upgrades allow us to improve our performance and be better athletes overall. It's amazing to see how far our program and facility has come since I got here in 2020, and I can't wait to see how the program continues to grow."

A Legacy Built on Trojan Pride
These investments strengthen recruiting, enhance daily training outcomes, elevate safety standards, and position the Donaghey Student Center Pool as a premier venue for competition and community engagement.

Central to the campaign's success is Trojan Swimming alumnus Larry Golden, whose leadership, advocacy, and passion helped turn an ambitious vision into a fully funded reality.

"Having an athletics director and a chancellor who share a clear vision—and who work together not only athletically, but on campus—makes a tremendous difference," Golden said. "They see the future of this program and are willing to put in the daily work to make it happen. That's what makes it so easy to support swimming, our student-athletes, and our facilities. When you ask people to get involved, they're willing to help because they see the passion, the direction, and the positive momentum. The vision of Chancellor Christina Drale and Director of Athletics Frank Cuervo truly resonates throughout the community."

Golden noted that the campaign reflects a broader philosophy tied to the University's mission.

"During a visit with Chancellor Drale, we talked about the idea of a true living-and-learning environment," Golden said. "Those conversations plant a seed, and over time it grows. You start to see how athletics can make an impact on the community and on students, and how student-athletes play a role in enrollment and broader investment in physical infrastructure. This project is a great example of what we can accomplish when we align those priorities.

"I'm passionate about the living-and-learning model, and swimming is a perfect example. We have an incredible pool that's fast and well-designed, but it was beginning to show its age. When we looked at starting blocks, lane ropes, and bulkheads, we saw items that were broken, worn out, or obsolete. If it's broken, we fix it. If it's worn out or obsolete, we replace it. This investment ensures our student-athletes are training and competing in an environment that matches the standard we expect."

With every priority met, the Little Rock Swimming & Diving Facility Enhancement Campaign stands as a powerful example of what Trojan pride and shared purpose can accomplish. Today's swimmers - and those who follow - will train and compete in an environment worthy of both the program's history and its future.

 "These upgrades represent what is possible when a passionate community rallies behind a shared vision," said Frank M. Cuervo, Director of Athletics. "Our Trojan Swimming alumni and supporters stepped forward in a powerful way to fully fund every priority in this campaign, and that speaks volumes about their belief in our student-athletes and the future of this program. I'm especially grateful for the leadership of Larry Golden, who worked hand-in-hand with our staff to champion this effort and bring it across the finish line. This is a tremendous example of Trojan pride in action and a lasting investment in excellence at the Donaghey Aquatics Center."  
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For the latest information on Little Rock Swimming & Diving, visit LRTrojans.com and follow the team on social media @LittleRockSwim.
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