The Colgate University Swim and Dive Teams hosted a fundraiser event for Swim Across America, a nonprofit organization that funds cancer research grants, on Saturday, Dec. 6. This year marked the second annual event hosted by Colgate, which is open to the Hamilton community. Swim Across America was founded in 1987 and has since raised over $100 million dollars to support cancer research across the United States. The organization hosts swim events for the public and encourages participation from everyone, no matter their swim background. This year, the swim and dive teams raised over $9,000 for Swim Across America. The fundraiser is available online and continues to accept support after the event.
Swim Across America emphasizes the importance of research funding and awareness of funding gaps. The National Cancer Institute, one of the agencies under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has experienced a decrease in government funding over the last 10 years. Meanwhile, Swim Across America notes that an estimated 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Swim Across America has experts that closely and carefully distribute grants to clinical trials and research.
Following the team practice on Saturday morning, the pool opened up and encouraged community members to jump in and participate in themed relays together. Relay themes, raffles and community participation all contributed to raise money and awareness for the cause. This year the event received support from Flour & Salt, The Hamilton Eatery and the Colgate Bookstore. The morning consisted of relay race events and had participation from the team, students and Hamilton community members. By participating in themed races, the community has helped raise awareness for the cause and greatly supported the teams’ ongoing efforts.
Junior swimmer Scott Pejic reflected on the energy of the morning.
“We had a great time as a team, and I’m looking forward to it next year,” Pejic said.
This year, the event was organized by senior swimmer Matthew Szypula. Szypula had participated in Swim Across America events with his high school team and was able to help create an event for Colgate to host. He noted the unique opportunity this program offered.
“This was a great chance for the team to come together and do something good for the community and participate with friends to raise awareness and have a good time,” Szypula said.
In the past two years, the teams have combined to raise roughly $20,000 for Swim Across America.
Junior swimmer Drew Hicks echoed that sentiment.
“I was very impressed with the engagement from our community, and it felt great to have fun for an amazing cause,” Hicks said.
The team is very proud to host such an impactful event, and impressed by how many Colgate and Hamilton community members showed up to support.
Both the Men and Women’s teams hope to carry this positive energy into their final meet of the 2025 calendar year on Dec. 12 against Hamilton College.
