Swimmers, divers and water polo players from St. Francis (New York) will return to their alma mater to celebrate 50 years of the Terrier aquatics program October 16 and 17.

The event, called The Big Splash, will include dinner, dancing and water polo matches between current student-athletes and alumni. St. Francis will also honor former swimming, water polo and football student-athlete Gerard Gillia, a retired school teacher and former Terrier swimming and water polo coach.

“Many of our storied alumni will be coming to The Big Splash with recollections of their experiences here at St Francis to share them with the younger generation of student-athletes, creating an oral history of the program,” said St. Francis Assistant Athletic Director Carl Quigley. “It is through these memories that our current athletes will understand their history and ensure that our swimming, water polo and diving programs will continue to thrive for future generations of student athletes.”

“The hard work, dedication and love for the sport that all St. Francis water polo and swimming alumni showed and felt during their time at St. Francis College is one of the main themes we will be recognizing at this inaugural event,” said former student-athlete Ben Barnett, a member of the 2005 men’s water polo team that earned a bid to the four-team NCAA championship. “Hopefully, with old friends getting together and sharing memories of these experiences, we can not only help support future SFC athletes but also make sure that these fond memories stay clear and secure in our hearts and minds for many years to come.”