With the new state-of-the-art Mizzou Aquatic Center scheduled to open this summer, the University of Missouri men's and women's swimming and diving programs will say goodbye this Saturday to their beloved and far-from-state-of-the-art MU Natatorium.

The event, titled "The Last Lap at the Nat," will be an all-day affair this Saturday, April 30th, and will see 50-70 former swimming and diving alumni come to Columbia to pay homage to the homey old facility, and also to celebrate the opening of the new complex, which will give Mizzou one of the best competition and training facilities in the country.

The day will start at the Natatorium at 9 a.m., with a welcome and coffee for all those participating. From 10-11:30 a.m., several fun swimming events will take place in the pool for those alumni wishing to race one last time.

A full day of activities is planned after that for the alumni, including a tour of campus from 11:30-12:30, a lunch at the historic Heidelberg, a tour of the new swimming facility and student recreation center, and a happy hour downtown at Otto's, from 4-7 p.m. There will also be a silent auction held at the evening event, with proceeds going to benefit the MU swimming programs.

"This is a chance for us to say goodbye in style to the Natatorium," said Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "We'll have fun giving it the sendoff it deserves, and we'll have even more fun looking forward to the new facility opening up. This is also a great opportunity for our program to reach out to our alumni and to re-connect with a lot of people who haven't been on campus in awhile. We want them to be proud of the past, and also to be excited about the future of the program here," he said.

For more information about Saturday's events, please contact the MU Swimming office at 573-882-4669, or 573-882-4869.

Here is a sampling of some of the silent auction items to be offered Saturday night...

One signed football by Gary Pinkel

One signed basketball by team

Original Team Pictures

Original media guides

First race in the new pool and choose lane number-ongoing from April 30th to September 1st

Male race against Brian Hoffer - ongoing from April 30th to September 1st

Female race against Brian Hoffer - ongoing from April 30th to September 1st

Variety of swim lessons from Anne Sievers in St. Louis

Workout logs from various years

Hotel room for September weekend-raffle

Déjà vu office party (2)