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?
Parents
Former Member
I think in rereading many of these post, I have realized that there is a major reason why swimming isn't one of the most popular sports in this contry. We don't think of it as a sport that woula be open to all. In australia and mos tof the old eastern bloc, almost every child takes swimming lessons. what do we do for our children, why our national sports for children, baseball, football and soccer. Mahomet is a growing and wealthy town. If it were in either the south or the far west, it would have a pool and a powere age-group team. but because it is a small town in eastern Illinois, swimming pools are the major concern of the city rulers.
I bet mahomet has a kick-ass soccer program for young kids, extensive baseball and possibly a peewee football.
I think in rereading many of these post, I have realized that there is a major reason why swimming isn't one of the most popular sports in this contry. We don't think of it as a sport that woula be open to all. In australia and mos tof the old eastern bloc, almost every child takes swimming lessons. what do we do for our children, why our national sports for children, baseball, football and soccer. Mahomet is a growing and wealthy town. If it were in either the south or the far west, it would have a pool and a powere age-group team. but because it is a small town in eastern Illinois, swimming pools are the major concern of the city rulers.
I bet mahomet has a kick-ass soccer program for young kids, extensive baseball and possibly a peewee football.
