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by Colin Beltz
When starting any new athletic program at a college, one of the most important aspects to consider is the number of participants the sport will attract.
After organizing two informational meetings and learning that a number of students are interested in transferring to Concordia to swim, the new womenâs swim coach, Connie Kirchoffner, isnât worried about numbers anymore.
ãI didnât know what to expect,ä she said. ãI wanted to develop a good starting base. If you have good numbers, the program will be able to grow from there.ä
So far the response has been outstanding. Nearly 25 women have expressed interest in joining the team when Concordia adds the program next fall.
Kirchoffner said the total includes students currently at Concordia and some potential transfer students. ãSeveral students want to transfer to Concordia next year who went to other schools because those schools had swimming,ä she said.
Additional interest in coming to Concordia is just one advantage swimming will give the college in enticing students to attend the college.
ãSwimming has been an established sport in the community for some time,ä she said. ãA collegiate program can help further the interest in the sport.ä
Kirchoffner also spoke about the more chances for women to participate in sports.
ãConcordia is a very prestigious school,ä she said. ãIt is well-known in the area. Itâs good to see more opportunities for women in athletics without hurting any other programs.ä
itâs easy to see Kirchoffner cares quite a bit about the sport, as swimming has always been a part of Kirchoffnerâs life.
ãI always enjoyed the time in the water,ä said Kirchoffner, ãand the time spent at the lakes in Minnesota.ä Those women who join the team will be seeing the commitment for themselves. They will also be coached by one of the most successful coaches in the region.
Kirchoffner joined the Mandan High School Swim Team as a head coach in its second year. She guided them to the North Dakota state womenâs swimming tournament for nine straight years.
For the first five years, Mandan was the state runner-up. From 1989-92, they were crowned state champions. In 1993, Kirchoffner took the head coaching position at Smokey Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado. She continued her success winning state titles in all three years she was there, becoming the first coach to win back-to-back titles in two different states.
Kirchoffner has been busy since she was officially hired last fall. Things are progressing nicely as the lights have been replaced and pool equipment is being ordered before land practice begins Oct. 1.
ãIâm really enthusiastic. It has taken a lot of planning with the budget, buying equipment and uniforms,ä she said. ãIâm excited to see it all come together in the fall.ä
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