State College, Pa. - The National Recreation and Park Association through the National Aquatic Council has awarded Penn State University with the National "Excellence in Aquatics Award." The award will be presented in San Antonio at the National Aquatic Conference in March.

The National Excellence in Aquatics Award recognizes aquatic agencies that demonstrate excellence in planning and managing diversified aquatic services and facilities. Reponsiveness to community needs, quality of services, the ability to overcome challenges, accessibility of services to all and the professionalism of the staff include some of the judging criteria.

"I believe a major factor in us winning this award is the dedication our staff shows to the various programs as well as to our facility," said Penn State Director of Aquatics Tom Griffiths. "This is a big honor for us to be recognized for this award and a majority of the credit goes to our staff as well as the coaches of the Penn State swimming and diving program who were willing to make this a multi-purpose facility."

The McCoy Natatorium at Penn State is one of the few university facilities in the country that is able to maintain a fair and equitable balance between high caliber competitive swimming and diving programs, recreation, instruction and aquatics for special populations. Although McCoy Natatorium hosts some of the finest swimmers and divers in the United States, the pools continue to provide quality time to senior citizens, people with disabilities, faculty, staff, students and residents from the surrounding community. The McCoy Natatorium is also the proud host of the PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the YMCA State Swimming Championships and the Pennsylvania State Special Olympics. The Pennsylvania State Swimming Hall of Fame is also housed in the McCoy Natatorium with nearly 90 inductees including such greats as Benjamin Franklin, Johnny Weismuller, Mary Ellen Clark and Robert Krimmel.

Open to a myriad of groups almost 18 hours a day, seven days a week, the McCoy Natatorium and aquatic staff is recognized for perpetual responsiveness, creativity, effective use of resources, caring and quality.