Mens swimming in the US

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Former Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:02:18 GMT

My school is one of the 64. Go Rutgers! That reminds me though, I have to register for classes next year.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Former Member — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:19:20 GMT

I got the latest "Outside" magazine in the mail today. W. Hodding Carter has a "memo to Michael Phelps," where he asks Phelps to "save swimming." A quote from the article: "....Aside from your eight wins, U.S. swimmers grabbed only four other individual golds in Beijing, continuing our sport's steady spiral down to Davy Jones's locker. This is happening because our farm system has been eroding for years, especially where boys are concerned. Compared with female swimmers, the number of males competing in amateur meets at every level has been dwindling for a while now. And since the '70's, at least 64 colleges have dropped male swim teams from their varsity lineups, claiming they don't have enough money because of the funding demands of Title IX. (Meanwhile, some of these same broke universities can afford plenty of football scholarships for players who warm the bench on perennially losing teams.) Why would boys want to excel in a sport that can neither help them get into college nor even allow them to compete at the intercollegiate level? This matters because, as you know, swimming is the greatest participatory sport in the world. Think about it. There's hardly any other (somewhat) popular athletic activity in which boys and girls train together day in and day out, share the same lane, do the exact same sets, and work to exhaustion side by side, starting before they can read, even. Through proximity and repetition alone, swimming teaches gender blindness. And except in your case, Your Neptunitude, girls beat boys in practice on a daily basis. I can't begin to count the number of times a female beat me in a distance set when I was a kid or in college. (It happens still.)...."

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Former Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:40:38 GMT

I was a band geek, married a band geek, and have spawned the ultimate in band geekdom--the drum major. The spawn is also a kick-a*s breaststroker and an honor student, so really no redeeming qualities at all. Band geeks rock. They get to go to all the football games for free! Doesn't just our small sampling of nerd-dom support the idea of swimmers being the smartest athletes?

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Former Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:36:14 GMT

President of grade school Orchestra, member of regional youth symphony. I would be late to concert performances due to swim meets, missing last minute changes to the score. The conductors didn't like that. Oh, and as pathetic as it seems, we did look down our noses at the bandos

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Chris Stevenson — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:31:27 GMT

You missed choir. I sang in the choir in both HS and college, and performed in musicals in high school. I remember going straight from the pool to musical practice my senior year, along with several of my fellow swimming/singing thespians. It didn't seem that odd at the time, but it was 1978. I don't think it odd now. I guess even we aren't nerdy enough for the yearbook staff. Or at least no one is admitting it (which, considering what we HAVE admitted to, says a lot.)

RE: Mens swimming in the US

BillS — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:01:56 GMT

Gamer Geek Computer Geek Chess Geek Sports Geek Math Geek Science Geek Band Geek wow, I think that about covers it. You missed choir. I sang in the choir in both HS and college, and performed in musicals in high school. I remember going straight from the pool to musical practice my senior year, along with several of my fellow swimming/singing thespians. It didn't seem that odd at the time, but it was 1978.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

The Fortress — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:22:47 GMT

After reading all your posts, I recant my prior admission of nerd-dom. I was obviously a way cool chick.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

pwolf66 — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:40:51 GMT

You missed choir. I sang in the choir in both HS and college, and performed in musicals in high school. I remember going straight from the pool to musical practice my senior year, along with several of my fellow swimming/singing thespians. It didn't seem that odd at the time, but it was 1978. No, I didn't miss it. Me and singing is NOT a combination that anyone needs to ever experience.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Former Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:29:19 GMT

Kurt, Despite your affinity to referencing fecies, you may have a point. Lifestyle is certainly part of the problem. Commitment, access and introduction to something new are both important to expanding the base. John Smith

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Allen Stark — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:28:27 GMT

I was Vice President of the Math Club and in the Chess Club as well as an Eagle Scout so I definitely earned my nerd credentials.Over coming that was probably the main driving force in my swimming.Perhaps surprisingly the swimmers were the "cool guys" at my High School.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Former Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:53:42 GMT

I was in band, too. I was startled by John's revelation that without our best swimmer we don't win as many medals or relays. Something incredible I just noticed: I took off my glasses and I'll be darned if I cannot see as well. There will be a world wide water supply shortage in 10 years and swimming will no longer exist for what it is worth.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Former Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:02:25 GMT

You were a mathlete? Ha. I was in the German Honor Society, so I think we're about even there. Of course, I was a wrestler, so that cancels it out.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Former Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:09:08 GMT

Band Geek? ! This is ammunition for a future "discussion" John Smith

RE: Mens swimming in the US

pwolf66 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:17:56 GMT

Gamer Geek Computer Geek Chess Geek Sports Geek Math Geek Science Geek Band Geek wow, I think that about covers it.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Paul Smith — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:55:00 GMT

Fort...Geek...don't short change yourselves....your both still nerds and still have your addictions and afflictions...although they may be legal now.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

aquageek — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:46:41 GMT

I was a nerd, but had other afflictions. I, too, was a nerd, but had other addictions.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

The Fortress — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:38:14 GMT

There is really no way to explain away being in the marching band. It stands by itself as a verdict of nerd-dom. I suspect Fort might say res ipsa loquitur. I'd be grateful to have a band nerd. Truly. My son declined to be on the Math Team when pressed, so I'm screwed there too. I was a nerd, but had other afflictions.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Paul Smith — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:21:08 GMT

i will disclose i was in the band as well i knew it, i knew it, i knew it!!!!!!!!

RE: Mens swimming in the US

aquageek — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:02:20 GMT

Chris - I have come to the conclusion that math geeks rule the world and make the jack.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

Chris Stevenson — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:50:53 GMT

There is really no way to explain away being in the marching band. It stands by itself as a verdict of nerd-dom. You seem to have come to peace with it. I'll do you one better: I was on the Math Team in high school. We had competitions and everything. (Wow, that was therapeutic.)

RE: Mens swimming in the US

aquageek — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:24:12 GMT

There is really no way to explain away being in the marching band. It stands by itself as a verdict of nerd-dom. I suspect Fort might say res ipsa loquitur.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

aquageek — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:51:34 GMT

I will disclose I was in the band as well. Was not a fertile ground for athletic talent.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

poolraat — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:24:39 GMT

I may have to reluctantly agree with Smith that swimming is in bad shape if we are competing for the dorks in marching band to fill out our swim rosters. Careful now!!! My wife, kids and I are (were) marching band dorks who swim. And the kids have done well in both. I agree that there are conflicts with practice times and competition schedules, but we just deal with it.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

aquageek — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:12:07 GMT

I may have to reluctantly agree with Smith that swimming is in bad shape if we are competing for the dorks in marching band to fill out our swim rosters.

RE: Mens swimming in the US

ddunbar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:06:38 GMT

I wonder if it a combination of opportunity to learn to swim and outside demands that might be keeping the numbers down. We used to require Boy Scouts to earn the Swimming and Lifesaving merit badges if they wanted to earn their Eagle, now both are options that could be replaced with hiking or cycling for swimming, and emergency preparedness for lifesaving. A scout never has to get into a pool or a lake at all. We used to have high school swimmers that did not train for AAU teams and were able to develop into fairly competitive swimmers. Now I don't think it is possible to start swimming in High School and be competitive. The Houston Burb that I live in has neighborhood pools that have local summer league teams and there is one USA team. None of the High Schools have pools and they all share a District Natatorium that is also used by a local junior college. And now we have year round baseball, year round basketball, and year round soccer to compete with. Come High school and we have the Great Satan - Band with competing AM and PM practices, mandatory Saturday practices, marching and contest seasons. It gets phys ed credit plus grades and fourth years get honors credit, rather than just credit. Lots of options, fewer opportunities. Just my thoughts.