Ambassadors
Hali Flickinger
SWIMHERSHEY ATHLETE AMBASSADOR
2X olympian / fina world champion
hometown: York PA
“Motivating and inspiring young athletes is how I give back to a sport that has given me so much opportunity and growth in life. That’s why I am thrilled to further SwimHershey’s mission and engage others on their behalf.
This world class facility will make dreams come true for all aquatic athletes and their coaches in Central PA, as well as the Mid-Atlantic region. The Olympic style 50 Meter pool, competition diving boards, wide decks, lots of spectator seating and more will give them the opportunity to grow and thrive in their sports, close to home.
SwimHershey is lifting one of the biggest barriers that aquatic athletes of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds and their coaches face - not enough pools to accommodate the 20,000-plus athletes needing practice and training facilities.
That’s life changing!”
Read Hali’s Letter
Brendan Hansen
3X Olympian / 6X Olympic Medalist
Director, Team Services USA Swimming
“I’ve seen the far-reaching, complementary community impact of facilities like this in places like Hershey.
While the new Community Center and its shallower, warmer water will serve younger learn-to-swim residents, SwimHershey’s aquatic center meets the demand for deeper, colder water that increases access to the life-saving skill of swimming for older youth and adults. It provides health and fitness programming for the community and surrounding areas, offers workforce training and career pathways, and expands competitive opportunities for aquatic athletes as they advance.
I fully support SwimHershey’s mission and this amazing project.”
Read Brendan’s Letter
Testimonials
RONN JENKINS
Diving Coach – Westchester University
Olympic Diving Official NCAA Champion
Hometown: York PA
“I was a young boy with asthma who got involved in diving. It was there that I found a place to thrive, a team to belong to, and lifelong friends who encouraged me to become a champion diver.
It concerns me to see schools running out of facilities for competitions, but since this aquatic center has diving boards, kids from all walks of life across Central Pennsylvania will have a place to line up to jump.”
Katie Nolan mccomb
Former aquatics Coach, Messiah College
4X State Champion
Hometown: Hershey PA
“As a young athlete, I would have loved training year-round in SwimHershey’s 50 Meter pool. You really have to challenge yourself mentally with the tempos and strategies of long course races. Training in a 50 Meter pool would have prepared me so much better for NCAA swimming in college. It’s not an experience many get. But it’s one they want, and need.”
Gregg M. Cook
Executive Director
HErshey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority
“SwimHershey’s planned facility will be one of the crown jewels in our sports venue inventory. Not only will it bring the amount of water needed for the development of the sports of swimming, water polo, diving, and artistic swimming with our local youth, it will provide a state-of-the-art venue that will attract events that currently travel to Bucknell University, Gloucester, New Jersey, and places beyond.
We also believe SwimHershey will provide a perfect complement to existing facilities in the Derry Township area, where its unique facility type, community-focused mission and industry partnerships will help all aquatics facilities grow and allow for access to even more aquatics sports and activities. This new facility will provide a significant and immediate direct economic impact to the Township of Derry and Dauphin County. Organizations like the PIAA, PSAC, NCAA, USA Swimming and USA Artistic Swimming will look to us first when exploring options to host their events.
HHSEA fully supports this project, and is excited for the boon it will provide for Derry Township and Dauphin County for years to come.”
Read Gregg’s Letter
Joel shinofield
Managing director, sport development
Usa Swimming
“An aquatics facility is an investment in the health of the Hershey community. USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States, and the USA Swimming Foundation, its philanthropic arm, strongly support the effort to build a new 50-Meter pool as part of the SwimHershey project."
Read Joel’s Letter
Adam Andrasko
Chief Executive Officer
Usa Artistic Swimming
“USA Artistic Swimming has a club in Hershey and another club in York. The eastern part of the country is short on facilities that can accommodate high level, high volume meets. This facility will position Hershey in a unique position to attract USA Artistic Swimming and other aquatic events on an annual basis.”
Read Adam’s Letter
Bill Brenner
Sr. Director, Club and Coach Development
Us masters swimming
“Currently, there is a high demand from our Masters swimming community in Derry Township and Dauphin County with very little pool time availability. We highly encourage the building of a new SwimHershey Aquatic Center in Derry Township so aquatics will be more readily available for adults to learn to swim, swim for recreation, and swim with other like-minded adults in a diverse, rich USMS Masters program. ”
Read Bill’s Letter
Chris Kagg
Founder and ceo, IM able foundation
national adaptive sports hall of fame inductee
“SwimHershey’s efforts to create a welcoming environment for individuals of all abilities align perfectly with our vision. The provision of accessible training and competition waters will undoubtedly open doors for individuals with disabilities to engage in aquatic sports, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition.”
Read Chris’ Letter
Meet Our Partners
We’re thankful for the partnership of these organizations and others to come as we pursue this project together!
