Classes are back in session, and for Queens swimming and diving, that means the return of an old rhythm: early morning practices, four-plus hours in the water, and a full course load, all happening at once.
Director of Swimming and Diving Jeff Dugdale is clear from day one: "It is an expectation to perform both in the classroom and in the pool." Talking to his athletes is proof that this mindset shapes how they balance the two.
"I have learned that excellence isn't an event but rather a lifestyle," says Libby Livesay '27."I understand that I am held to a standard of excellence both in the pool and in the classroom, but I also recognize that reaching that standard is made possible by the people who surround me," she says. "My coaches, advisors, and professors have challenged, supported, and encouraged me to pursue excellence in every area of my life."
For Haley Ross '27, the only woman on her team majoring in Engineering Physics, that standard shows up in the culture around her. Her coaches have acted as tutors and connected her with alumni and colleagues to help her navigate the engineering world, and her teammates have sat through her practice presentations even when the material was over their heads. "As a women's team, we hold high standards for academics, and we are all driven to improve ourselves outside of the pool," she says. "The women on my team are more than just great swimmers. They are entrepreneurs and leaders. They are future doctors, nurses, nutritionists, physical therapists, and lawyers."
Ross' pride in her teammates should not be underestimated — they're carrying a cumulative GPA of 3.8 after all.
Matheus Przewalla '28 sees the two feeding each other directly. The discipline it takes to train for hours a day in preparation for a race that lasts under two minutes shows up in the classroom, too. "Staying motivated through the early mornings, the cold and rainy weather, and the practices when you're really grinding requires a lot of strength," he says, the same strength that carries into a demanding course load.
That discipline also extends to how he manages the two at once. Przewalla is an international student who competes for Brazil every spring, and Brazilian Nationals has always fallen during finals week. Every year, he reaches out to his professors well in advance, explains what the meet means to him, and works out a plan. "Because I've always communicated early and effectively, exactly the way our coach taught us to, it has never been an issue," he says.
Backing up everything from academic resources and opportunities for connection to meals that fuel athletes as they rally to finish a paper after a day of competition are donors. This culture of academic and competitive excellence is made possible through ongoing investments in the program.
"We are not competing against each other," Ross says. "We are here to support each other to become the best versions of ourselves." At Queens, because of the resources afforded through philanthropic support, that's true in the water and in the classroom.
Get Involved This Year
This kind of support doesn't happen without a community behind it. Royal Ralliers, our new way for fans, families, and alumni to show up for the Royals jersey, launches this fall: cheer from the stands, share a post, or start a conversation with a fellow fan. Learn more and sign up today.
We also invite you to mark your calendars for October 2-9, when the Queens Athletics community joins together in support of our student-athletes for Investing In Champions, the annual week of giving. Early giving starts now, and your support unlocks benefit tiers and Royals Club membership. If you're interested in building momentum and increasing the impact of your gift, reach out to us at athletics@queens.edu to set up a giving challenge.
