Oct. 21, 2012

SDSA GALA INFORMATION | SUN DEVIL SWIMMING ASSOCIATION 

By Jourdan Rodrigue, Sun Devil Digital Communications 

The fifth annual Sun Devil Swimming Association (SDSA) Dinner Gala/Casino Night will take place on November 2 at 6 p.m. at the Tempe Center for the Arts.

This event and many others put on by the SDSA, as well as funding from generous donors, helps keep the men's swim team afloat after unfortunate budget cuts in previous years.

The swimmers believe that the financial support of the donors increases the strength of the team itself.

"It's been a huge transformation for the better," senior Derek Knittle said. "When I first got here we weren't sure if we were going to be around for much longer...but for the past couple years it has been much more stable."

The improved solidity of the men's team helps the women as well, because both teams depend on each other for motivation and camaraderie.

"Without [the men's team] we wouldn't be where we are as a women's team," junior Jaclyn Chavez said. "They push us so much every day in the weight room, during `dry land' workouts and in the pool so we probably wouldn't have the success we've had without them."

Both men and women's teams will be present at the event to mingle with the guests and show their gratitude.

"You can't say `thank you' enough for the kind of support we've gotten," Chavez said.  

The event will also showcase Olympians Nathan Adrian, Kaitlin Sandeno, and Charlie Houchin. Donors will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with the athletes as well as take a tour of the newly renovated Mona Plummer Aquatic Center and view an ASU swim practice.