Below are the number of entrants for each event at the Junior Nationals for 2008. What do these figures mean for men's swimming long term? The number of boys in the sport trails girls quite siginficantly in many events. In relays where a team tends to show its depth, boys are out numbered by girls nearly 2:1
If things continue or get worse we've got problems ahead of us in 2 Olympics.
It's a good thing collegiate budgets aren't cutting mens swimming these days.... :-)
ncsassociation.homestead.com/PsychFINAL.htm
.............Women Men
1650/1000... 78.. 75
Med. Relay... 97.. 51
100 free... 264.. 140
100 ***... 179.. 102
200 back... 173.. 111
200 fly... 149.. 91
800 fr rly... 81.. 43
50 fly... 170.. 106
50 ***... 151.. 82
200 free... 252.. 159
400 IM... 183.. 106
400 free rly... 84.. 45
100 back... 194.. 152
500 free... 188.. 112
200 ***... 152.. 82
100 fly... 242.. 161
200 fr rly... 84.. 45
50 back... 135.. 115
200 IM... 268.. 169
50 free... 282.. 153
800/1500 fr... 98.. 67
400 med rly... 105.. 54
Parents
Former Member
Greetings
I have read this thread with great interest as I am the parent of a 13 yo male age grouper. He just made his first sectional this year and is focused on the Olympics. It is great he is excited and has dreams! As I read the thread, you are all writing about my current life. Lots of money and travel for a kids sport. I have no illusions about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but many parents do. One of my favorite conversation starters at lunch with parents is "Wouldn't it be great if your Jimmy swam in college?" Then the true colors show. I smile and nod alot. I went to college working in a D1 sports program and it was WORK. Wouldn't do it again. Study more for sure. Knowing the numbers in college for boys and athletes in general, I will continue this road though because it is healthy and fun for the boy. I ignore the money and time I spend and encourage him to dream big. Reality will come closing in soon enough, but for now gas up the car and write the checks. We spend lots of time together on the road. The other thing I love is that I can use swimming to produce grades every time. No grades no swimming.
Regards
Spudfin
Greetings
I have read this thread with great interest as I am the parent of a 13 yo male age grouper. He just made his first sectional this year and is focused on the Olympics. It is great he is excited and has dreams! As I read the thread, you are all writing about my current life. Lots of money and travel for a kids sport. I have no illusions about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but many parents do. One of my favorite conversation starters at lunch with parents is "Wouldn't it be great if your Jimmy swam in college?" Then the true colors show. I smile and nod alot. I went to college working in a D1 sports program and it was WORK. Wouldn't do it again. Study more for sure. Knowing the numbers in college for boys and athletes in general, I will continue this road though because it is healthy and fun for the boy. I ignore the money and time I spend and encourage him to dream big. Reality will come closing in soon enough, but for now gas up the car and write the checks. We spend lots of time together on the road. The other thing I love is that I can use swimming to produce grades every time. No grades no swimming.
Regards
Spudfin
