As of 8:10am this morning one of the finer programs in the country is lost due to "budgetary" problems.
No one saw it coming and they just recently signed some top level recruits that gave them one of the top 3 recruiting classes in the country.
Until I left in 1976, ASU was number 3 in total NCAA men's sports championships (and rankings) in the country. Golf, Archery, Baseball,
Track, Gymnastics, Wrestling and a host of other sports were annual powerhouses. Swimming never was part of this matrix, despite great coaching and year round outdoor training weather. Women's swimming -pre title IX- was also an annual threat to win AIAW national championships. I do not have the numbers, but since the women have joined NCAA sports, I don't think their rankings have been nearly as good.
It is a sad commentary that any sport is cut, but it is a reality of life now, and even though the demographics show swimmers to be some of the best scholar-athletes and have high graduation rates, money ultimately talks.
Although both title IX and football have effects on the decision, there is no reason to demonize either of them, unless one has a history and routine of calling attention to one's self by making unsupportable statements about the relative merits of either.
BTW, ASU football has a very high historical ranking, last year being ranked as high as #2 in the nation with a first year coach. The program generates lots of money that it does indeed share with other sports, and has active and generous alumni and booster clubs.
The tactic of continually promoting women while bashing men is only an indicator of a personal issue that needs to be worked out in places and venues other than this forum. It is tiresome and disingenuous.
Until I left in 1976, ASU was number 3 in total NCAA men's sports championships (and rankings) in the country. Golf, Archery, Baseball,
Track, Gymnastics, Wrestling and a host of other sports were annual powerhouses. Swimming never was part of this matrix, despite great coaching and year round outdoor training weather. Women's swimming -pre title IX- was also an annual threat to win AIAW national championships. I do not have the numbers, but since the women have joined NCAA sports, I don't think their rankings have been nearly as good.
It is a sad commentary that any sport is cut, but it is a reality of life now, and even though the demographics show swimmers to be some of the best scholar-athletes and have high graduation rates, money ultimately talks.
Although both title IX and football have effects on the decision, there is no reason to demonize either of them, unless one has a history and routine of calling attention to one's self by making unsupportable statements about the relative merits of either.
BTW, ASU football has a very high historical ranking, last year being ranked as high as #2 in the nation with a first year coach. The program generates lots of money that it does indeed share with other sports, and has active and generous alumni and booster clubs.
The tactic of continually promoting women while bashing men is only an indicator of a personal issue that needs to be worked out in places and venues other than this forum. It is tiresome and disingenuous.
