I have written this idea to Swimming World and USA Swimmer and now I want to share it with my Forum Friends to see if I can garner any support. I just read the report in the ASCA magazine on how the implementation of Title IX has hurt men's swimming. As a supporter of womens sports I think Title IX has done much more good than harm. As a fan of college swimming I think the NCAA has done more harm than good. I was searching for a solution that would get swimming out of being at the mercy of the NCAA.The solution seems to be to start a scholarship fund for swimmers to be administered by USA Swimming. Criteria would be set up,both athletic and academic,for deserving swimmers to earn college scholarships to the college of their choice. The swimmer would be free to swim for the college if they had a team if desired or for the appropriate club if they don't. If they earn a swimming scholarship from the college the extra funds could be recycled back into the program.In the interest of fairness the scholarships would go to an equal number of men and women. This program would not be a way to get around Title IX but to get around the NCAA. Yes,it would take a massive fund raising effort,but I think most swimmers,parents,Masters,and corporate sponsors would be interested in donating(I would.) It would give swimming great publicity and would be a great recruiting tool. What do Y'all think?
I think that is a great idea. It will take a lot of work and time to implement.
I've often wondered aloud to my wife, the coach of our club team, if Title IX could be used to convince our school board th approve high school swimming since the majority of our club swimmers of high school age are girls. But then the boys would probably get left out. Our past attempts to get this sport added as a varsity sport have been met with an "absolutely not". I think we are the only 4A school in the state that doesn't have swimming.
I think that is a great idea. It will take a lot of work and time to implement.
I've often wondered aloud to my wife, the coach of our club team, if Title IX could be used to convince our school board th approve high school swimming since the majority of our club swimmers of high school age are girls. But then the boys would probably get left out. Our past attempts to get this sport added as a varsity sport have been met with an "absolutely not". I think we are the only 4A school in the state that doesn't have swimming.
