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.
They are fortunate to have a phenonmenal football team...
Until they come up against a real football conference. Are they 0-9 now versus the SEC in bowls?
I guess the budget wasn't a concern back in March when ASU amended the head football coach's contract, increasing his annual base salary to $1.5 million, with incentive bonuses (based on performance) of nearly $2 million.
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.
But, let's examine further. OSU last won a men's NCAA swimming and diving champion ship in 1962. Let me repeat - 1962. Since then an SEC school has won it 10 times. And, a Big 10 school, other than OSU has won it 6 times, led by a historically great Indiana team. The women have never won it or not since 1982, as far back as I found records.*
Why not go back to 1950 if you are going to go back to 1962. What is another 12 years when you are talking in decades. Since 1950, OSU has more swimming championships than the entire SEC conference if you are going to use your argument. Put it to rest.
I had the opportunity to coach at one of the first schools to drop men's swimming, Bowling Green State University in Northwestern Ohio in the Mid-American Conference. They dropped their program in 2001? (the exact date escapes me) In the early 90's we took the team to ASU to train for x-mas break. I remember training with the ASU and SMU teams, (it might have been Texas A&M.) What a great experience training in the desert was. The facilities were and hospitality was top notch. I hope those kids find a new home and attain the goals they have set for themselves. I have fond memories of the two trips we took to ASU. I believe BG still has a women's team.
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.
Since you have promoted yourself to forum morale officer, let me ask if the constant statement that Title IX is the downfall of mens' sport is equally tiresome and disingenuous?
As much as I disagree with some of the comments about Title IX, I fail to see why a sports forum is the wrong place to honestly discuss the impact of it on sports. That certainly seems a bit disingenuous, not that I really know what that word means. It does get tiresome having to look up $2 words all the time.
Top 25 Director's cup standings for 2007:
1. Stanford 1082.00
2. Michigan 780.00
3. Penn State 762.00
4. Ohio State 703.75
5. California 702.00
6. Texas 684.00
7. West Virginia 630.50
8.. Wisconsin 628.50
9. Arizona State 612.00
10. Florida 607.75
11. North Carolina 607.00
12. Louisiana State U. 604.50
13. Minnesota 581.00
14. Tennessee 576.75
15. Notre Dame 543.50
16. Florida State 535.00
17. Georgia 525.50
18. UCLA 502.00
19. Michigan State 490.25
20. Oklahoma 484.50
21. Texas A&M 479.75
22. Southern California 460.50
23. Nebraska 457.75
24. Purdue 456.50
25. Duke (N.C.) 433.00
The Big 10 is the winner with 7 schools in the top 25. The SEC and Big12 have 4. The PAC 10 has 5 (for now).
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.
I expected no less from you based on your prior history and routine. God forbid we promote women. How outrageous. Get a grip -- this is not the stone ages. Sounds like you're the one with a personal issue about women's rights.
And truly, Geek's comment is entirely correct. According to you, men can bash away at Title IX and suggest that women's sports must be eliminated to save men's sports, but when a woman suggests that football's budget should be cut instead of hacking away at women's sports, it's somehow "male bashing." How hypocritical!
Some people are so agitated about this I think they would gladly clunk my daughter (or their own) over the head so their son could get a scholarship. Sheesh!
Until they come up against a real football conference. Are they 0-9 now versus the SEC in bowls?
Yes, it's very sad. However this year is supposed to be our year - last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year. I would say Ohio State is phenomenal program they cannot control things like playing in a "weak" conference. They are playing at USC this year - they played UT a couple of years ago - they try to boost their schedule as much as possible.
Tressel has built the team up tremendously - one national championship, three appearances and two (or three) other BCS wins ... I'd say that's a phenomenal program.
I would say Ohio State is phenomenal program they cannot control things like playing in a "weak" conference.
The Big Ten is a weak conference? Are you out your mind, girl? I think you've been listening to Geek's adulation for the SEC too much.
Tressel has built the team up tremendously - one national championship, three appearances and two (or three) other BCS wins ... I'd say that's a phenomenal program.
All of this is totally nullified due to two words - Maurice Clarett.
If I'm forced to watch OSU again for the BCS championship I think I'll puke, unless they lose to the Dawgs.
Big 10 - 4 yards and a pile of dust
