University of Denver Swimming and Diving is proud to announce the largest gift to date in the program's history. The Watson family's transformational gift will sustain the program's legacy of excellence while significantly enhancing the student-athlete experience. The family's generosity launches DU's efforts to establish a head coaching endowment for swimming and diving.     

"Our family is honored to support and help strengthen the rich tradition of DU's swimming and diving program," says Lesleigh Watson, DU parent and donor. "Throughout Kieran's four years as a student-athlete, we've formed a meaningful connection with the program and wholeheartedly believe in its mission to shape well-rounded individuals who make a positive impact in the world. We hope our contribution inspires others to join us in supporting this vital endowment and creating lasting opportunities for future generations of student-athletes."

As the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, philanthropic support for Olympic sports has never been more crucial. This endowment will provide DU Swimming and Diving with the championship-caliber resources needed to elevate Denver's standing on the national stage. Now in its 79th season, the program boasts a proud legacy — and this endowment is a powerful example of how supporters can build on that foundation and help usher the program into an exciting new era of collegiate athletics. 

The Watson family's connection to DU Swimming and Diving began in 2021, when their oldest son, Kieran, embarked on his collegiate journey at the University of Denver. Over his four-year career under head coach Alicia Hicken-Franklin, Kieran played a key role in helping the team capture the Summit League Championship each season. Individually, he stood out as a top performer, earning 10 gold medals—including three titles in the mile, two in the 500 free, and one in the 200 free. 

A native of Mercer Island, Kieran cemented his place in DU's record books, ranking among the top 10 in program history in five events: 200 free (8th), 500 free (4th), 1000 free (3rd), 1650 free (3rd), and 400 IM (8th). His success extended beyond the pool, as he excelled academically and secured a job prior to graduation—a true testament to his dedication both as a student and an athlete. 

 "The Watson family's future-focused generosity will make a tremendous difference for our student-athletes," says Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. "For years to come, students who compete for DU swimming and diving will have the opportunities that they need to excel in their sport, in their academic pursuits and in their careers beyond graduation." 

This generous gift will leave a lasting legacy, strengthening support for the program and helping to sustain its tradition of excellence. It will address the program's most pressing needs—such as enhanced travel opportunities and expanded nutrition services—while reinforcing DU's commitment to broad-based athletic success. 

"The Denver swimming and diving program is incredibly grateful for the support the Watson family provided during Kieran's four years here, and for their generosity in providing the financial foundation for the future of the program," Hicken-Franklin said. "Lesleigh has served as the head of our parent group and as an ambassador for our programs on the Athletics Leadership Council and Gold Standard Giving Society. In an uncertain time for some in this ever-changing world of college athletics, I'm thankful for the Watson family's generosity and for the University's commitment to the future of our program."     

Thanks to this transformative gift, DU Swimming and Diving is on track to become the sixth program at the University of Denver to establish a head coaching endowment—joining the esteemed ranks of hockey, gymnastics, men's lacrosse, skiing, and men's soccer. The Watson family hopes their contribution will inspire fellow parents, alumni, and supporters of DU Athletics to rally behind this effort. Every gift toward the endowment will help build upon the program's legacy and ensure its continued excellence for generations to come. 

"I can't thank Lesleigh Watson and the Watson family enough for their passion and commitment to elevating the student-athlete experience and support for the swimming and diving programs at the University of Denver," Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Ritchie Center Operations Josh Berlo said. "The University is committed to seeing both programs continue to flourish, and we're confident that this head coaching endowment will get completed and play an important role in recruiting and retaining top-level talent, while providing our current and future Pioneers with a transformational student-athlete experience. The future of the program is undoubtedly bright."  

To learn more about how your gift can make a difference for our swimming and diving student-athletes, contact Kacie Dohrmann at kacie.dohrmann@du.edu or Ian Schumaker at ian.schumaker@du.edu. 

Denver Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving History: 
The Denver men's swimming and diving program began in 1947 and was coached by a pair of DU Athletics Hall of Famers in its first 50 years in Thom Murphy and Jim Bain. Bain guided the Pioneers men's program from 1971-2003 and was the first coach in program history to coach both programs simultaneously, taking over the women's program duties as well in 1986 through 2003. Denver's longest tenured head coach combined for more than 300 wins between the two programs.  

Denver's men made their first of 13 NCAA DI Championship appearances in 1954, taking 21st overall. Several years later, Denver finished 13th at the 1961 Championships, the program's best top division finish. DU's men have won 47 conference championships in their 79-season history.   

The Pioneer women's program began in 1980, finishing 25th at the AIAW III Championship in their first season as a program. In 2015, Denver earned its best top division finish, taking 28th at the National Championships behind performances from Denver's second two-time All-American in Samantha Corea. Denver has won 17 conference championships in the programs' 46 seasons.  

DU's first two swimmers inducted into the DU Athletics Hall of Fame were John Kelso and Carol Doyas, both of which were selected in the inaugural class in 1996. Keslo swam for the Pioneers in the 60s and set an American Record en-route to the 200 IM national championship in 1961. Doyas was a two-time AIAW national champion in the 100 fly in 1980 and 1981.  

In 2019, long time Denver associate head coach and two-year Minnesota associate head coach Alicia Hicken-Franklin was named the program's head men's and women's swimming and diving coach at DU. In her six seasons in charge of the two programs, she has guided the Pioneers to 11 Summit League Championships and has earned nine Summit League Coach of the Year honors.