What’s a few hundredths of a second?

It’s the difference between winning and losing.

It’s the difference between a swimmer who trains in a 50-meter pool and one who doesn’t.

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Mason Municipal Aquatic Center | Capital Campaign

Outcomes Beyond Measure

The City of Mason is primed for a redevelopment to support their swim team the Mason Manta Rays, to upgrade their 25-meter facility to a 50-meter complex. This is a huge deal for the city, the surrounding area, and all who are interested in competitive swimming and aquatic sports.

The new aquatic center is designed for versatility and elite achievement. This year-round facility with movable bulkhead will be highly reconfigurable. For swimming, it can be a 10-lane, Olympic-sized venue or a 20-lane, short-course venue. For water polo, two full competition pools with warm-up areas are possible. Subdividing the space finally opens up opportunities for programs like Masters and Triathlon training, as well as swim lessons, that have previously wilted from lack of usable area.

All we need is $5 million in private contributions to close the public-funding gap for the entire center. There are a host of opportunities for corporate, group, and individual participation, so don’t think too hard about stepping up.

Kick in now!

Project opportunities include:
+ 10 long-course lanes/
20 short-course lanes
+ Olympic starting blocks
+ Omega timing system
+ Full-color video scoreboard
+ High-quality sound system
+ Spectator seating for up to 1,000
+ Repositionable, bulkhead system
+ Fast pool — eight feet deep

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Swimming was a way for me to escape the categorizations that plagued my childhood. I was able to find my identity, my best friends, and self-confidence through swimming. I owe it all to the Mason Manta Rays and the amazing coaching staff for being there for me every step of the way.

Eric Chen

Ohio Northern University | City of Mason Manta Rays Alum – 2013

Swimming has taught me dedication, perseverance, hard work, and discipline. Most importantly, it has taught me GRIT!

Dr. Ashlee (Edgell) Barker

University of Notre Dame | City of Mason Manta Rays Alum – 2009

Swimming has taught me countless lessons that I continue to carry with me through life every day. Though my career ended seven years ago, I still explain a large part of who I am by how swimming, and more specifically the Manta Rays, positively impacted and molded my life. Swimming and the Manta Rays empowered me by teaching that if I believe in myself 100%, and pour myself into my goals, great things can and will happen.

Margaret (Fish) Musser, Ph.D

Harvard University | City of Mason Manta Rays Alum – 2008

It’s been over 10 years since I’ve become a Manta Ray alum. I still look back and consider the years and memories of being a Manta Ray my favorite of adolescence. I attribute my academic and professional achievements to the habits and foundation that I developed while being a part of the Manta Rays under a wonderful coaching staff, a supportive athletic community, and motivational peers. While I’m no longer competing in the water, many of my life long-skills and habits were formed there.

Morgan (Parker) Sparenborg, CRNA

George Mason University | City of Mason Manta Rays Alum – 2009

I attribute much of my life success to my younger years of swimming with the Manta Rays. Not only did swimming teach me lessons in hard work, perseverance, and time management, it also gave me friends for life.

Mary Wunderle

The Ohio State University | City of Mason Manta Rays Alum – 2009

It wasn't until I was an adult that I could fully appreciate how much the Manta Rays and swimming meant to me. Swimming gave me a community of people I would carry with me wherever I went, inspired me to constantly to strive for bigger and more ambitious goals, and taught me the value of never giving up — even in the face of a bad day, or race. I'll always be grateful to the Manta Rays for pushing me to be my best self.

Simonne Dubois

Tufts University | City of Mason Manta Rays Alum – 2010

Having moved around the world, home has always been something recondite. Being fortunate enough to call the Manta Rays, a team that has supported me, my goals, and my potential, my home is more than I could have ever asked. Returning every school break from Denison, witnessing the immense growth, grit, and relentlessness from the younger swimmers is truly inspirational. The Rays are not just my team, but my family that helped me fall in love with swimming and showed me what it meant to be a swimmer.

Tim Hagemeister

Denison University | City of Mason Manta Rays Alum – 2017

I can’t imagine where I would be in life without having swimming play such a large role. It taught me that discipline, dedication, and hard work can pay off in big ways. Swimming gave me a community that felt like a second home, lifelong friendships, and nostalgia that will follow me forever — whenever I get a whiff of chlorine.

Ashley Sojda

University of Cincinnati | City of Mason Manta Rays Alum – 2010

BUILDING ON THE CITY OF MASON MANTA RAYS’ HISTORY OF SUCCESS

Honoring a Friend and Fellow Swimmer

The José Cerdá

Hall of Champions

As a heartfelt tribute to the memory of José Cerdá Navarro, an area within the Mason Municipal Aquatics Center will carry his name. Individuals, groups, and businesses interested in associating their contributions with this portion of the capital campaign are invited to combine their giving in this meaningful salute. Not only benefiting the sports he loved, swimming and water polo, recognitions within this level of giving will be a reflection of José’s passion for striving to always be one’s very best.

On October 26^th, 2010 — the day of his 18^th birthday — José passed away suddenly from an arrhythmia while swimming. José was constantly striving to move to the next level of athletic performance, while also having fun and supporting his teammates and fellow competitors. As a Senior at Sycamore High School, José played on the Varsity Water Polo Team as the 2-meter position wearing Cap #3 and was awarded honorary 1^st Team All Ohio at the end of the 2010 season. He also was the backstroker for the Sycamore Varsity Swim team.

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