How many guys from other countries does it take to win a National Championship?
Good thing they all attended classes on campus the entire year..... :-)
Makes everyone feel proud to see the American Record holder on the 4th place podium.
So would you support a college team that was made up 100% of foreign swimmers?
Probably not as much as a team with mostly U.S. talent.
Back in the day, the University of Houston fielded teams that were probably more than 50% foreign swimmers. The team was cut even though they were pretty good. I seem to recall that some coaches said it was cheaper and easier to recruit foreign swimmers because he didn't have to compete with other schools, recruiting visits, etc. I think once a coach goes crazy with foreign swimmers he is probably jeopardizing the program to some degree. If I were an athletic director looking for a reason to cut men's swimming and it was more than 50% foreign swimmers, it would be easier to make that cut because I doubt you hear as many complaints from parents and alumni. Moderation is probably the best approach for a long-term program.
On the flip side, does the Texas men's team have any non-U.S. swimmers? That seems a bit odd for a university that is very culturally diverse and almost seems a bit discrimatory. Texas should probably make an exception or two. Maybe start out with a token Canadian, South African, or Brit to put them over the top! I recommend a non-freestyler.
Tim
So would you support a college team that was made up 100% of foreign swimmers?
Probably not as much as a team with mostly U.S. talent.
Back in the day, the University of Houston fielded teams that were probably more than 50% foreign swimmers. The team was cut even though they were pretty good. I seem to recall that some coaches said it was cheaper and easier to recruit foreign swimmers because he didn't have to compete with other schools, recruiting visits, etc. I think once a coach goes crazy with foreign swimmers he is probably jeopardizing the program to some degree. If I were an athletic director looking for a reason to cut men's swimming and it was more than 50% foreign swimmers, it would be easier to make that cut because I doubt you hear as many complaints from parents and alumni. Moderation is probably the best approach for a long-term program.
On the flip side, does the Texas men's team have any non-U.S. swimmers? That seems a bit odd for a university that is very culturally diverse and almost seems a bit discrimatory. Texas should probably make an exception or two. Maybe start out with a token Canadian, South African, or Brit to put them over the top! I recommend a non-freestyler.
Tim
