McHugh Natatorium at Fike Recreation Center

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The success the Clemson swimming and diving program has enjoyed over the years has not been won easily. The season is long and the training and competition schedule is arduous. However, the Tiger swimmers and divers are provided with facilities for training and competition that make the hard work seem bearable.

On January 14, 1984, prior to the meet against Virginia, ceremonies were held to re-name Fike Natatorium in honor of former men's swimming and diving coach Carl McHugh. McHugh was the first swimming and diving coach at Clemson during the Atlantic Coast Conference era. He began coaching during the 1953-54 season and retiredin 1976 after 23 years at the helm of the program.

McHugh Natatorium has played host to numerous meets, ranging from the Clemson Invitational, to dual meets against nationally ranked opponents, to the Men's and Women's ACC Swimming and Diving Championships. The Tigers hosted the 1985 conference championships in which the Clemson men's team finished second and the women's team placed third overall.

The natatorium facilities include an attractive eight-lane pool featuring a complete Colorado Timing System. The pool has a large deck area for dryland workouts and a sundeck overlooking Death Valley. The seating area can accommodate nearly 1,000 Tiger fans.

The divers make use of a 13-1/2 foot diving well complete with durafirm standards and Maxiflex model "B" diving boards. The diving well features two one-meter boards on concrete foundations and two three-meter boards on durafirm standards. The well is also equipped with dryland facilities.

When the Tiger swimmers are not in the water, the Clemson campus features 1,400 beautiful acres to conduct dryland workouts in the off-season.

Between November 2001 and October 2003, McHugh Natatorium underwent a series of renovations. These renovations included new starting blocks and decking, as well as new team locker rooms and improved lighting. The bottom of the pool and the diving well were also retiled.