I just heard that two more universities, Rutgers and James Madison, are ditching men's swimming while spending zillions on football and golf. My own alma mater almost cut women's swimming several years ago. They were saved by alumni fundraising, but not until the swim team put itself up for sale on ebay. Endurance sports get no respect. It makes no sense. I thought open water swimming and triathlons and road racing were on the rise even among young kids. If so, why cut all those sports in college? I guess it's still just a miniscule percentage that participate compared to other sports, like my least favorite youth sport -- travel soccer.
Jeff,
Even though the AD claims that Title IX was a factor, Rutgers has never been close to having a Title IX problem. BTW the NCAA doesn't define compliance WRT Title IX. It is the federal government. Now, the NCAA is looking at graduation rates and penalizing those that are not making the grade by taking away scholarships, coaches, post-season appearances amoung other things.
There was mention of "revenue sports". Be careful of how one uses the term. Revenue sports generate income but many do not generate a profit. I believe the Rutgers football team lost a million dollars last year. That amount is greater than the "savings" the dropped sports will provide.
Leo
Jeff,
Even though the AD claims that Title IX was a factor, Rutgers has never been close to having a Title IX problem. BTW the NCAA doesn't define compliance WRT Title IX. It is the federal government. Now, the NCAA is looking at graduation rates and penalizing those that are not making the grade by taking away scholarships, coaches, post-season appearances amoung other things.
There was mention of "revenue sports". Be careful of how one uses the term. Revenue sports generate income but many do not generate a profit. I believe the Rutgers football team lost a million dollars last year. That amount is greater than the "savings" the dropped sports will provide.
Leo
