Physics freshman Riley Mayes is looking to turn his love for swimming into a competitive venture by starting a swim club at Loyola.

The University Sports Complex contains a six-lane swimming pool that is open to gym members and students. Currently Loyola has no intramural, club or swim team available to students.

According to Assistant Director of Wellness Zachary Bracey, he has tried offering intramural swimming in the past, but said there was never enough interest or participation.

“This was the first time I have been approached about a club swim team, so I’m happy to see that the club is able to get started,” Bracey said. “I think it’s great if the students are interested in forming new clubs like a swim team, and hopefully they will be able to remain active.”

Mayes said he came to Loyola assuming the school had an intramural swim team.

“I’ve been swimming competitively for around 12 to 14 years so I wanted to get people interested and start a club,” Mayes said.

Disappointed that there was no way of participating in competitive swimming, Mayes sought other ways to participate.

It was suggested to Mayes that he join the Tulane swim club, but Mayes said he would rather swim with his fellow Loyola students.

Currently, Mayes is working on writing the constitution for the swim club, which is required by the Student Government Association. He has gathered a group of 10 people and is working to garner more interest among students.

According to SGA, at least 10 students are needed to start a club on campus.

Mayes has posted flyers around the University Sports Complex and has started to meet with students to decide the club’s goals.

“I would like to see the swim club built up to a place to where we can actually hold swim meets and start working from there and start winning swim meets,” Mayes said.

Mayes said he intends to submit a swim club constitution to SGA at the beginning of the spring semester.

Leslie Gamboni can be reached at [email protected]