By Draven Dabrowski
Sports Columnist
School is back in session, and with it comes the return of fall sports. As students are settling back into classes, athletes at the university are back on the field and court, ready for another season.
The biggest news coming this week from the university athletics department is the naming of C.J Moran as the new head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving program.
After three decades under the leadership of the late Tim Quill, the program now turns to Moran, who brings prior experience with the Owls.
Moran is a former four-year letterwinner for the Owls,competing from 1995 to 1999.
He also has previous coaching experience serving as an assistant coach
for the university from 2000-01 and again from 2002-05. During his time with the program Moran has been a part of 35 NE10 Conference Championships.
In the press release announcing his hiring, Moran expressed what returning to the university and taking over the program means to him.
“I am extremely honored to be chosen as the next head coach of the Southern Swimming and Diving Program,” Moran said. “I am excited for the opportunity to continue to work with our student athletes and to further pursue the tradition of excellence of the university Swimming and Diving that was set forth by my predecessors Dr. Bruce Hutchinson, Tim Wise and Tim Quill,”
The university swim and dive team just came off an emotional season. After the sudden passing of Coach Quill, the Women’s team captured its sixth consecutive and 18th overall NE10 title.
Turning to the fall season, volleyball is a team to keep an eye on as they begin a new campaign.
Last season, the women’s volleyball team finished 16-8, making its mark in the NE10 playoffs before falling short in the semifinals against Bentley University.
The Owls return with several for the 2026-27 season, including setter Kimi Mitchell, a sophomore, right side hitter, Sydney Bennett a graduate student and outside hitter Kerrigan Habing, a junior.
The team is coming off two wins in which it swept both opponents in three sets, first defeating Queens College and then Franklin Pierce University in the Tri-Match on Saturday, Sept. 5.
The Owls currently sit at 6-1, with their only loss coming against Rollins College.
