TONY LISA NATATORIUM

Tony Lisa Natatorium in 2019. (Click for directions)

Housed in the Rowan Student Recreation Center, the Tony Lisa Natatorium opened in September of 1994 and has been the home of the Profs' men and women's swimming and diving programs since.

The pool features eight-25 yard lanes, two one-meter and one three-meter diving boards.

It also includes new starting blocks, with both wedges and backstroke ledges, state-of-the-art Colorado Electric Timing System LED Video Display and program record boards.

On deck, you will also find the coaches' office and spectator seating.

SEATING CAPACITY

156

WHAT'S IN A NAME

Tony Lisa, 69, passed away on June 16, 2018. He retired from the University in 2014 after coaching the men's and women's swimming and diving teams for 35 years. Lisa had two coaching stints with the Profs. He returned to the University in 2009-2010 after two years as an assistant swim coach and recruiting coordinator at the U.S. Military Academy. Prior, he had coached at Rowan for 30 years (1977-2007).

In 2003, Lisa received the Richard E. Steadman Award from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). He was the 12th recipient of the award. The Richard E. Steadman Award is conferred annually to a swimming or diving coach in high school, club or university ranks who, in the opinion of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. and the CSCAA Forum, has done the most to spread joy and happiness in swimming and diving. Lisa was the assistant coach for the silver medal winning World All-Stars at the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. He was also the assistant coach for the World All-Stars at the 2001 World Sprint Cup.

He graduated from Glassboro State College, now Rowan University, in 1975 and later received his master's in 1978. Lisa was a goalkeeper on the Profs' soccer team for three years. He was a 1966 graduate of Pennsville Memorial High School.

Tony Lisa (Click for more info)

Jack Hafner, Connie Lisa, Rowan President Ali Houshmand

Rowan University dedicated the Tony Lisa Natatorium on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 with a ceremony and reception in Esby Gym.

Connie Lisa, the wife of Tony Lisa, thanked and introduced Rowan Foundation Chair Jack Hafner. Hafner donated $100,000 to honor Lisa's legacy. The funds will be used to establish the Tony Lisa Endowment for the swimming and diving program.

This plaque can been seen outside the main door to the pool

The natatorium features a brand new record board

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Prior to 1994, the swimming and diving program used the Esbjornson Gym Pool for competition. It was then used as practice facility up to its closing in 2020. The six-lane pool caused problems for the university because of expenses when Esby Gym was being constructed in 1961. State building officials determined the pool to be a “luxury item” and eliminated it from the program. Although the building officials were on board with the plan, President Robinson opposed and fought to keep the pool open. Robinson personally presented the project “Pay as You Swim” to the board, and the presentation was effective enough for the state board to change sides. The pool was expected to take 10 years to pay off, but students made two payments in September 1962 and December 1965 that paid off the $175,617 cost of the pool. After moving to the natatorium, the programs used Esby Pool for practices.