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?
a few random thoughts:
I think I or someone else said this a few months ago on a similar thread, but if you are a dude and don't play football or basketball, good luck finding sports money to put you through college.
Regardless of what we say about them, regardless of how bad the teams get, despite football and basketball tending to use the most money, they also bring in the most money to a college/university. Season tix sales, school-logo gear, tv $. I think all college bowl games after Dec 29 06 guarenteed at least $300k to the participating schools. You gotta spend money to make money.
And hand in hand with the Stanford/Kinney issue, lets not lose sight of the fact that these kids are Student/Athletes. The NBA has helped make that phrase a debacle for basketball. Most of these kids are going to need to go pro in something other than sports - and thankfully, I think most of these kids in our sport know that.
:argue:
a few random thoughts:
I think I or someone else said this a few months ago on a similar thread, but if you are a dude and don't play football or basketball, good luck finding sports money to put you through college.
Regardless of what we say about them, regardless of how bad the teams get, despite football and basketball tending to use the most money, they also bring in the most money to a college/university. Season tix sales, school-logo gear, tv $. I think all college bowl games after Dec 29 06 guarenteed at least $300k to the participating schools. You gotta spend money to make money.
And hand in hand with the Stanford/Kinney issue, lets not lose sight of the fact that these kids are Student/Athletes. The NBA has helped make that phrase a debacle for basketball. Most of these kids are going to need to go pro in something other than sports - and thankfully, I think most of these kids in our sport know that.
:argue:
