The Ultimate Guide To FSU's Aquatic Centers: 5 Things You Didn't Know About The Florida State University Pools
As of December 22, 2025, the aquatic facilities at Florida State University (FSU) stand as a dual-purpose testament to both elite athletic competition and comprehensive student wellness. Far from being just a single swimming hole, the FSU pool landscape is defined by two distinct, state-of-the-art centers: the competition-focused Morcom Aquatics Center and the recreation-centric Leach Center Pool. These facilities are constantly buzzing with activity, from Olympic hopefuls training for the next major meet to students simply taking a well-deserved lap swim, making FSU a premier destination for water sports and fitness in the ACC.
This in-depth guide will navigate the features, access, and recent developments of both major FSU pools, providing the latest information on what makes these aquatic hubs essential to the Seminole community. Whether you're a current student, a prospective athlete, or a Tallahassee resident looking for a place to swim, understanding the unique roles of the Leach and Morcom centers is key to unlocking FSU's full aquatic potential.
FSU's Dual Aquatic Powerhouses: Leach Center vs. Morcom Aquatics Center
Florida State University has strategically invested in two separate, high-quality swimming facilities to serve its diverse population. Each center is designed with a specific primary audience and function, offering different experiences for competitive athletes and recreational users.
The Morcom Aquatics Center: Home of the Seminole Elite
The Morcom Aquatics Center is the official, state-of-the-art home for the Florida State Swimming and Diving teams. This facility is a testament to FSU's commitment to excellence in collegiate athletics.
- Opening Year: The $10.5 million facility opened in 2008, replacing the older competition pool.
- Location: It is situated off-campus, right next to the Don Veller Seminole Golf Course.
- Main Pool Features: The massive main pool is designed for high-level training and competition, featuring up to 30 practice lanes.
- Recent Capital Project: As of the current academic year, the Morcom Aquatics Center is undergoing a significant upgrade with a new dive tower project, highlighting FSU's ongoing investment in its diving program.
- Upcoming Events: The center continues to host major events, including the annual FSU Invite, with the 2025-2026 schedule already announced, confirming free admission for all home meets.
The Morcom Aquatics Center is where the Seminole swimming and diving legacy is forged, providing a world-class venue for training, hosting ACC dual meets, and breaking university records. The focus here is on performance, precision, and competitive spirit.
The Leach Center Pool: The Campus Recreation Hub
In contrast, the Leach Center Pool is the heart of FSU Campus Recreation, located conveniently on the main campus within the Leach Recreation Center. This indoor facility caters primarily to the student body, faculty, and staff, prioritizing fitness, relaxation, and general aquatic programs.
- Facility Size: The Leach Pool is a 16-lane by 25-yard indoor swimming facility.
- Diving Boards: It includes recreational diving facilities with two 1-meter and two 3-meter diving boards.
- Hidden Amenities: Beyond the lanes, the Leach Pool area offers a complete spa area, including a sauna and a steam room, providing essential recovery and relaxation spaces for patrons.
- Access: The pool is available for lap swimming to all Leach patrons during operating hours, which are consistently updated on the FSU Campus Recreation website.
The Leach Center Pool is currently open and serves as a vital resource for FSU's wellness initiatives, offering everything from recreational lap swimming and aquatic fitness classes to American Red Cross swim lessons for the community.
FSU Swimming and Diving: Recent Achievements and Star Athletes
The facilities at the Morcom Aquatics Center directly support the success of the FSU Swimming and Diving teams. The Seminoles consistently perform at a high level in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and the most recent seasons have seen impressive results and individual accolades, adding significant topical authority to the center's reputation.
2022-2023 Season Highlights:
The FSU teams secured key victories, including dual meet wins against conference rival Georgia Tech. The program celebrated several top performers who were recognized for their achievements:
- Swimming MVPs: Yordan Yanchev (Men's) and Edith Jernstedt (Women's) were named the Most Valuable Swimmers.
- Diving MVPs: Samantha Vear (Women's) and Tazman Abramowicz (Men's) earned the Most Valuable Diver honors.
- ACC Recognition: Redshirt senior Kayleigh Clark was a standout, earning her third ACC Women's Diver of the Week honor, showcasing the program's strength on the boards.
- Relay Excellence: The men's team demonstrated speed by taking second place in the 200 free relay at a major meet, led by athletes like Varjasi, Cooper, Keblys, and Herbet.
This continuous stream of high-level competition and success ensures that the Morcom Aquatics Center remains a central hub for collegiate swimming in the Southeast, attracting top talent and providing a dynamic environment for athletes.
Access and Membership: How to Dive Into the FSU Pools
Access to the FSU pools is structured to serve the university community first, but also extends to affiliates and the local Tallahassee community through various membership and pass options.
FSU Student Access:
Current FSU students enjoy automatic access to the Leach Center Pool and other Campus Recreation facilities. This access is included with the payment of the Activities and Service (A&S) fee assessed with tuition. Students simply need their valid FSUCard to enter the Leach Recreation Center and utilize the aquatic facilities, including the spa, sauna, and steam rooms.
Faculty, Staff, and Affiliate Access:
FSU faculty, staff, and other university affiliates are eligible to purchase specific memberships to gain access to the Leach Center and its pool. These memberships are managed through FSU Campus Recreation and offer a crucial benefit for maintaining health and wellness within the university workforce.
Community and Guest Access:
While the Morcom Aquatics Center is primarily a competition venue, the Leach Center offers several avenues for community engagement:
- Swim Lessons: FSU Aquatics offers American Red Cross swim lessons not only for students and staff but also for community adults and children.
- Guest Passes: The Leach Center allows guests and family members of current patrons to purchase passes. Areas like the pool and spa are accessible to these guests, including children and youth during designated family hours.
- Multi-Visit Passes: For frequent swimmers who are not full members, the Morcom Aquatics Center has historically offered multi-visit passes (e.g., 15 and 30-visit passes) that sometimes include free swims as an incentive, providing a way for dedicated lap swimmers to utilize the competition-grade facility.
The commitment to providing diverse access ensures that the world-class aquatic resources of Florida State University benefit a wide range of individuals, solidifying its role as a key institution for both athletic achievement and public health in the region.
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