A Brief History of Women’s Swimming at
West Virginia University

Women’s swimming was established at West Virginia University during the 1974-1975 season. Donna Henderson, a graduate assistant was the team’s first coach. That year the team achieved a 4-4 dual meet record. However, historical records indicate that the women who comprised this first team were not the first ladies to compete for the Gold and Blue. In 1965 Bette Hushla was a member of the WVU’s men’s team as a backstroker.

First African Americans to Participate in Women’s Swimming
at West Virginia University

Vanessa Patterson and Valerie Patterson were the first African American athletes to participate in Women’s Swimming at West Virginia University in 1993.