THAT'S TERRIBLE for everyone involved. It's hard to believe they tried to keep the program when they never even discussed anything with the coach!:soapbox:
I'd be happy to donate a few bucks toward "funraising" for this cause, but the information on the linked site (by Coach Dia) is pauce.
1) Is the president of Arizona State University engaged?
2) Is the provost?
3) Is the board?
4) Are Arizona's elected state representatives?
5) Is there a heavyweight (one or more) alum spearheading a fundraising drive among other alums and friends? How much has been raised so far? Who are the lead donors? Are they publicizing their efforts to the broader community? Has a letter gone out to every alum asking for a donation? Is there an appeal in the alum mag? In the newspapers?
6) Are national swim orgs weighing in? How?
7) Has the president of ASU promised a stay of the program cut until fundraising has had a chance to take effect?
8) What is the likelihood of success, especially if none of questions 1 through 7 has a positive answer?
9) Are they just going out for beer and ice cream and paying for the Web site with my money? Where can I find out how much $$ has been raised, how much has gone toward what expenses, and so on?
10) Is there a timeline for raising the money?
Thanks.
The funraising continues to reinstate the Men's swim team at Arizona State University. Go to www.saveASUswimming.com to help. Large or small every contribution counts. We appreciate your help in saving this Olympic Sport with a rich history and tradition of excellence at ASU. I donated. It was easy. I have three college age boys. Although they do not swim for ASU, I understand the need for positive opportunity and sport in college. Sport has kept my boys engaged in positive activity and out of trouble. They are healthy and focused on their education. Swimming has taught them and other young men like them so much. I also undertand that action must be taken now by those of us who care about the future of swimming in order to preserve this opportunity for young men.
Coach Dia
SVAM Master Coach
From the article:
Arizona State University Vice President for Athletics Lisa Love announced Friday that the athletic department is fully reinstating the sport of varsity wrestling, effective immediately, due to financial support from local civic leadership.
I have sent some inquiries to the folks at saveASUswimming.com to find out what is going on with efforts to save swimming.
"Local civic leadership" suggests either deep-pocketed donors or deep-pocketed donors who twisted somebody's arm -- "No money for that new biology building if you don't keep wrestling." (Either way is OK, LOL.)
Apparently the men's wrestling program was just full reinstated...no details as to how much money it took to get it back:
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../18111.asp
Just a quick mention that I did hear back from those raising funds for ASU swimming and will follow up a bit more. Apparently they do have a figure for what it would cost to sustain the program, do have alum support, do have some support from admin, which is at least talking to them, are raising funds. I'll post more after I talk to the respondent.
VB
Unfortunately, I share your cynicism, or realistic expectation, having seen it in action: restricted funds emptied out for other purposes, annuities used for other purposes once the annuitor died and the funds became available. A piece of paper with a promise typed on it is worth how much when the institution decides to dispose of the money otherwise?
A state institution's budget is also subject to decisions by state legislature.
Good luck to Save ASU Swimming.
VB
