WASHINGTON (June 22, 2021) – Howard University swimming & diving program teamed with SWIM UP, INC. for a month-long summer course, starting July 14 through August 5.
 
HU will provide lessons twice a week to help students become water safe while sparking interest in swimming for the next generation.
 
"This is a great opportunity for our young men and women to give back to the community," said Howard Director of Swimming & Diving Nicholas Askew. "This partnership allows us a chance to teach African-American children the ability to swim. I would like to thank SWIM UP and Bishop Walker for this amazing opportunity."
 
Howard met with grade students from the Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys during the first week where they provided in-water swim lessons. HU went on Bishop Walker's campus and spoke with local schoolchildren about their passion for the sport of swimming.
 
"We are so thankful that our return to the water includes the Howard University swim team," said Mary D. Bergstrom, Founder of SWIM UP, INC. "SWIM UP and Bishop Walker are incredibly excited that our students will not only be learning key fundamentals of water safety over the next four weeks but will be learning to swim from some of the best collegiate athletes in The District."
 
In 2019, data from the USA Swimming Foundation showed that 64-percent of African-American children had no or little swimming abilities; however, the research also presented that 65-percent of these children would like to swim more often.
 
Throughout the session, Howard helped the young pupils with pool safety while kicking off the four-week clinic with an overview of swimming basics. Bishop Walker students learned about breathing techniques, blowing bubbles and floating.
 
In fall 2021, Coach Askew and the Bison return to competition after more than a year away due to COVID-19.
 
CREDITS
 
Mary D. Bergstrom, Founder of SWIM UP, INC., and Bardell Brown contributed to his story.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the SWIM UP website at www.swimup.org/.