Men’s Swimming and Diving to join Stonehill Athletics

By Annie Renz

Stonehill College and Stonehill Athletics announced today the addition of men’s swimming and diving for the 2026-2027 season.  

This comes after the college added diving to the women’s team earlier this year.  

The addition of men’s swimming and diving puts Stonehill at 24 varsity athletic programs at the Division I level. It is the college’s first expansion of athletic teams since 2022 when women’s ice hockey was added.  

Both the men’s and women’s teams will be under the direction of Matthew Distler who has been the head coach of women’s swimming since 2022.  

“I am extremely excited to build a new men’s program and to add diving to our now combined programs,” Distler said in the college’s announcement. “I’m grateful to Stonehill, especially to Dean O’Keefe and Tim Williamson for trusting me with this responsibility and for believing in swimming and diving.” 

Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Dean O’Keefe said in the college’s announcement, “Since our recent reclassification to NCAA Division I status, the interest in varsity sports at Stonehill has reached unprecedented heights, with prospective student-athletes from around the world seeking an opportunity to earn a Stonehill degree and compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics. Our women's program has enjoyed tremendous success under the leadership of Coach Distler, and I am excited to see both the men's and women's teams continue to rise together.” 

Sherri Danforth, a junior on the women’s swim team, said the addition of men’s swimming is an exciting step for the school. 

“It opens the door for more student-athletes to get involved, and it shows that the program is continuing to grow in a positive direction,” Danforth said. “Overall, it feels like a move that supports both the athletes and the future of the school.” 

The Skyhawks join Le Moyne, LIU, Wagner and Howard as NEC schools competing in men’s swimming and diving.