BATON ROUGE — The 2005-06 LSU swimming and diving schedule has been finalized, head coach Adam Schmitt announced on Monday.
Headlining the list of opponents are Auburn, Florida and Texas A&M. All three of the teams visit Baton Rouge in home meets against the Tigers at the LSU Natatorium.
“It’s definitely a strong schedule, and we are fortunate to have those top programs coming to our pool,” said Schmitt. “For our athletes to be able to compete against them at home and having our fans come out and support us is going to be a great opportunity for them to see who they need to compete against in February at the SEC Championships.”
The squad will hold the annual Purple and Gold Intrasquad on Oct. 14, before Auburn visits the Natatorium in the season opener a week later on Oct. 21. The LSU-Auburn matchup is being billed as “Alumni Weekend” where several former LSU swimmers will be in attendance. The LSU football team also entertains Auburn in Tiger Stadium that weekend.
The dual meet will also have added significance to the LSU coaching staff. Both Schmitt and associate head coach Morgan Bailey were prominent members of the Auburn staff in the late 1990s. Bailey served as the Tigers’ recruiting coordinator in 1999 when the men’s squad claimed the SEC and NCAA titles.
“We were both there,” said Schmitt. “It will be neat to have a good, strong showing against a national championship team. Right now, we just want to prove that we are on the build right now.”
On Oct. 28, the Tigers make their first road trip, traveling to Florida State for a 3 p.m. meet at the Seminoles’ Bobby E. Leach Recreation Center. The LSU women also face off against Florida International on Oct. 28.
The visit to Tallahassee will have two ties to the Tiger program. Current LSU assistant coach Anne Blachford was a five-time All-American and assistant at Florida State, while Seminole head coach Neil Harper is a former LSU standout swimmer and Olympian.
The annual Texas A&M Invitational highlights the month of November in a three-day event, Nov. 17-20. After Christmas break, diving coach Doug Shaffer and the LSU divers look to continue their success at the Georgia Invitational, Jan. 6-8, in Athens, Ga.
The full squad resumes the New Year with a double-dual meet on the road at Alabama and Kentucky on Jan. 7. On Thursday, Jan. 12, national powerhouse Florida takes on the Tigers at the LSU Natatorium in a time to be determined.
Non-conference meets at Houston, Rice and Delta State provide tune-ups for the final stretch run of the season and on into the conference championships.
Home meets against Texas A&M and Tulane (women) on Jan. 21 and Feb. 3, respectively close out the Tigers’ regular season schedule.
Tennessee plays host to the SEC Championships this season, Feb. 15-18, at the Student Aquatic Center. A month later, the NCAA Championships take centerstage as the women look to build on their showing a year ago.
Familiar SEC foe Georgia serves as the championship site for the women, March 16-18. Georgia Tech hosts the Men’s NCAA Championships, March 23-25.