Looks like the number of foreign athletes taking scholarship money away from home grown kids has surged in recent years. 2/3rds are in Division I schools.
I wouldn't dream of accusing lazy coaches who don't recruit well of using "hired guns" from other countries to win championships. I'm sure they are only accepting foreign athletes for the altruistic good of helping to diversify the student body..... :-)
Influx of foreigners presents new challenges for NCAA
www.usatoday.com/.../2008-10-01-foreign-influx_N.htm
Elise, have you compared the times of the international swimmers against those of the high school graduating classes the years the international swimmers joined? I am curious as to whether there is a gap and if so how large it is.
Lindsay - I have no doubt the times of the international swimmers are faster. What is disturbing to me is that it appears that Auburn, our state land grant university, is unwillling to cultivate the talent we have here.
I speak from personal experience. I coached a kid until he was 15 and sent him on to a bigger, faster USA team. He stayed in touch with me a good bit after he left and kept me filled in on his training, meets, etc. After only 4 years of competitive swimming, he was going a 1:49 in 200 yards backstroke. Despite being the home boy, Auburn showed absolutely no interest in him. His back was his best as his 200 free was only 1:41, although I believe he was going a high 23 in 50 meters LC free.
Seems our boys find happier homes at Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas.
Elise, have you compared the times of the international swimmers against those of the high school graduating classes the years the international swimmers joined? I am curious as to whether there is a gap and if so how large it is.
Lindsay - I have no doubt the times of the international swimmers are faster. What is disturbing to me is that it appears that Auburn, our state land grant university, is unwillling to cultivate the talent we have here.
I speak from personal experience. I coached a kid until he was 15 and sent him on to a bigger, faster USA team. He stayed in touch with me a good bit after he left and kept me filled in on his training, meets, etc. After only 4 years of competitive swimming, he was going a 1:49 in 200 yards backstroke. Despite being the home boy, Auburn showed absolutely no interest in him. His back was his best as his 200 free was only 1:41, although I believe he was going a high 23 in 50 meters LC free.
Seems our boys find happier homes at Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas.
