The award for the most ridiculous, self-absorbed, overzealous all sports entertainment network in the world goes to...
ESPN, for the 10th year running.
They have once again proven that outside the 4 major sports, Tiger Woods, and the Williams sisters, you're really not much of an athlete. Unless you count token consideration of Cael Sanderson and -ahem- Sarah Hughes (don't even get me started on figure skating).
No offense to college athlete of the year Sue Bird (UConn BB) but a certain swimmer from Cal who set at least 6 AR and 1 WR over the short course season would have had my vote.
Anyone else? Natalie Coughlin, female college athlete of the year as awarded by the USMS discussion crew?
-RM
Parents
Former Member
I don't have the answers, but some food for thought:
Back in the late eighties in So. Cal we use to watch swimming and waterpolo on a cable station Prime Ticket (mostly UCLA, USC, Cal, Stanford and Pepperdine) they would also air NCAA swimming and water polo championships. I believe that station no longer exists. Not to say swimming and waterpolo isn't ready for a rebirth in the TV market.
The second thought is would all this attention spoil what we have come to love. Previous forums there has been complaints about the size of nationals, timelines etc. Just think what would happen if we did double or triple the participation at nationals - some people complained about taking the 4 to 5 days off to travel and particiapate, what would happen if that became 7 or 8 days for the meet.
The last thought is the ever present economic question. Swimming costs money, utilities (water, electricity, gas) chemicals (chlorine, C02, acid, soda ash, calcium) man power (lifeguard, maintenance, coach) and insurance. Most pools have some governmental tie in - either by a Parks and Rec Dept (City, County, Special Service District) or by a school. When it comes budget time it seems Parks and Rec are the first ones cut, schools, police, fire are usually safe - but the schools have there dilemas build a pool or another 6 classrooms to accomadate the growing population - we know what the general voting public would choose. Of course I realize that with more exposure of swimmng as a valuable lesson it may help dodge the budget ax, but I really doubt it.
I would compare my feelings towards swimming to Yosemite. When I go to Yosemite I don't want to be in the overcrowded tourists environment - stick to the backroads and enjoy things where commercialism hasn't spoiled the beauty.
I don't have the answers, but some food for thought:
Back in the late eighties in So. Cal we use to watch swimming and waterpolo on a cable station Prime Ticket (mostly UCLA, USC, Cal, Stanford and Pepperdine) they would also air NCAA swimming and water polo championships. I believe that station no longer exists. Not to say swimming and waterpolo isn't ready for a rebirth in the TV market.
The second thought is would all this attention spoil what we have come to love. Previous forums there has been complaints about the size of nationals, timelines etc. Just think what would happen if we did double or triple the participation at nationals - some people complained about taking the 4 to 5 days off to travel and particiapate, what would happen if that became 7 or 8 days for the meet.
The last thought is the ever present economic question. Swimming costs money, utilities (water, electricity, gas) chemicals (chlorine, C02, acid, soda ash, calcium) man power (lifeguard, maintenance, coach) and insurance. Most pools have some governmental tie in - either by a Parks and Rec Dept (City, County, Special Service District) or by a school. When it comes budget time it seems Parks and Rec are the first ones cut, schools, police, fire are usually safe - but the schools have there dilemas build a pool or another 6 classrooms to accomadate the growing population - we know what the general voting public would choose. Of course I realize that with more exposure of swimmng as a valuable lesson it may help dodge the budget ax, but I really doubt it.
I would compare my feelings towards swimming to Yosemite. When I go to Yosemite I don't want to be in the overcrowded tourists environment - stick to the backroads and enjoy things where commercialism hasn't spoiled the beauty.
