When the ACC pulled all neutral-site championships from the state of North Carolina in response to the state’s controversial bathroom bill (and other states’ responses), Tech became an unexpected beneficiary. The McAuley Aquatic Center, once host to the 1996 Olympics, became the home of the 2017 ACC Swim and Dive Championships.
That event, which started on Feb. 13, brought teams from all over the eastern seaboard to compete in a variety of events.
Earlier this season, Tech Head Coach Courtney Hart indicated that hosting the Championships would offer the team advantages and pose disadvantages. She listed familiarity with the facility and procedures as significant assets, while she was concerned that not traveling would lull the Jackets into a false sense of security.