Samuelson Aquatics Center dedicated

California Lutheran University's Samuelson Aquatics Center was officially dedicated before a crowd of 500 people from the university and the surrounding communities on March 24.

The dedication event included adding the final ceremonial drops of water into the Olympic-size pool and setting lap records.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines served as master of ceremonies.

"We're here to visualize the generations of student-athletes who will be inspired to experience success in this blue body of water before you," Gaines said.

Swimmers Christa Ratcliff and Merle Vermillion, who participated at the NCAA Division III National Championships in Houston earlier this month, were congratulated for making aquatics history at CLU.

Following presentations by the Thousand Oaks mayor and CLU President John Sladek, Gaines, once considered the fastest man on the planet, set the first official pool record. He swam the 50 freestyle in 23.12.

Joining Gaines in the pool were CLU's own National qualifier in the 50 freestyle, Merle Vermillion, who set the women's pool record with a time of 25.60, and first-year Kingsmen water polo player Scott Bergemann, who swam in 24.28.

Bob and Doris Samuelson and Jack and Sally Samuelson have been an integral part of the development of CLU as well as the new aquatics center. The $3.35 million facility is named in honor of their involvement in making this dream a reality.

"We salute the Samuelsons' vision and leadership in taking the first steps to help bring this long-awaited Olympic-class pool to reality," Gaines said. "It would not have been possible without their significant contributions and the contributions of so many other supporters of CLU athletics."

Along with the recordsetting laps, Los Angeles Synchro, a synchronized swimming team, performed for the crowd. The event ended as athletic director Dan Kuntz counted down for a "plunge" by members of the CLU swimming, diving and water polo teams.

Cal Lutheran's aquatics coaches have done a phenomenal job in the inaugural years despite not having a facility on campus, said Gaines. Their programs will grow significantly now that the university has a complete aquatics center. The community will also benefit from having a firstclass aquatics facility.

"We are all extremely thankful for the generosity of the Samuelson family and others who have made this CLU Aquatics Center possible," said head swimming coach Tom Dodd. "We are so happy to have a magnificent facility on campus to call our own."

"We all feel very blessed to be a part of this special day and this time in the history of CLU aquatics," said Craig Rond, head men's and women's water polo coach.

"Days like today create memories that our participating student-athletes, coaches and staff will carry with them for the rest of their lives."

Rond's women's water polo team defeated Chapman University 135 on March 3 in the firstever event hosted at the Samuelson Aquatics Center.

Prior to the dedication ceremony, a special luncheon was held in the Lundring Events Center.

Among those in attendance were the Samuelsons, Gaines and his family, Olympic champion John Naber, Sladek, members of local aquatics programs, CLU staff members, Thousand Oaks officials and others from the community.

- Information provided by Jannette Jauregui, media relations coordinator at CLU