Williamsburg, KY – The UC swimming & diving program has announced its 2026-27 schedule, Head Coach Eric Bugby announced. The Patriots' slate features a challenging mix of NCAA and NAIA competition as UC prepares for the Mid-South Conference and NAIA National Championships.

Cumberlands will compete in four home meets at the Patriots Aquatic Center, while the schedule also features several high-level road competitions. The Patriots will face NCAA opponents Carson-Newman and Marshall in addition to competing at the Zippy Invite in Akron, OH.

"I wanted to create a schedule that raised the level of competition and forced them to swim fast all year long," Bugby said. "I want to put them in difficult positions, knowing that the outcome of dual meets in swimming doesn't matter as much as what we do at the end of the year."

The Patriots open the season with their annual Red vs. Blue meet on Saturday, September 26, at 1:30 p.m. UC officially begins its competition schedule one week later when Carson-Newman makes the trip to Williamsburg on October 3. It marks the first meeting between the Patriots and Eagles in a decade. 

Cumberlands remains home on Oct. 17 to face Mid-South Conference foe Lindsey Wilson.    

UC hits the road for the first time on Nov. 6, traveling to Wilmore, KY, to square off against Asbury. The Patriots divers will compete at the Centre Invite two weeks later.  

The Patriots' midseason test comes in December as UC travels to Akron, OH, for the Zippy Invite beginning Dec. 3. The meet will provide Cumberlands with a high level of competition while giving the Patriots an opportunity to emphasize one of Bugby's key focuses for the season — performing at their best during preliminary heats.

"The big thing this year, like a theme, is winning prelims," Bugby said. "How do we put ourselves in position to win a national meet? That means you have to do your best in the morning."

Following the Zippy Invite, UC will take a group of swimmers to compete at the CSCAA Open Water Championships on Dec. 12 to close out the 2026 portion of its schedule.    

UC returns to competition on Jan. 15 when the women's team travels to Huntington, WV, to face NCAA Division I opponent Marshall. It marks the first meeting between these two teams.  Cumberlands then returns to the Patriots Aquatic Center the following day to host Centre before welcoming Milligan on Jan. 23 for its final dual meet ahead of the postseason.   

The championship season begins Feb. 4 as the Patriots return to Danville, KY, for the Mid-South Conference Championships.

The NAIA National Championships are slated to begin March 3 in Ypsilanti, MI.    

Fans can watch all of the Patriots home meets here.

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