Men's NCAAs 2009

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

On the flip side, does the Texas men's team have any non-U.S. swimmers? Tim Preach - when you consider that Texans like to continuously spew about how they are truly a sovereign nation, then, by default, anyone from outside the state is a foreigner. This could potentially make them the biggest hypocrites of them all.

There are some things about our current system that I don't particularly like either. One woman I swam with got to represent another (small) country at the Olympics. She had never lived in that country and she didn't even have NCAA cuts. Yet, she went to the Olympics and will forever be known as an Olympian. Am I jealous? Sure. Would I have gone if someone offered me a spot on their team? Can't say I wouldn't jump at the chance.

You're upset that Texas out-recruits Auburn in the U.S. and then loses NCAA's to Auburn because Auburn turns to the best available talent? Just take a trip to Auburn, look around (outside of the pool/natatorium) at the community ... then go to Austin and do the same ... and you'll understand a big reason why Auburn has to recruit more foreigners. :)

Just take a trip to Auburn, look around (outside of the pool/natatorium) at the community ... then go to Austin and do the same ... and you'll understand a big reason why Auburn has to recruit more foreigners. :) I've been to UT and seen the Auburn Campus (not the natatorium). I can understand why one would choose Austin over small-town Auburn. Auburn is never going to be able to change it's location. What they can do, to be competitive, is to recruit the best talent leftover. One way they can start to get the best U.S. talent is to win. To win they need good swimmers. There are no restrictions about where they can look for good swimmers. To ask them to be patriots and settle for less is pretty unrealistic when you really think about it. I get it that we're concerned for men swimming in the U.S. I have boys. Maybe they'll swim. I should be concerned for them. But, IMO, as long as it's legal to have foreign swimmers it's silly to think coaches are going to settle for 8th place at NCAA's just so they can be patriotic. They're hired to win.

I get it that we're concerned for men swimming in the U.S. I have boys. Maybe they'll swim. I should be concerned for them. But, IMO, as long as it's legal to have foreign swimmers it's silly to think coaches are going to settle for 8th place at NCAA's just so they can be patriotic. They're hired to win. I agree. I do want to support and have USA swimming improve, but not by putting up "trade barriers." Let's compete by being better in the pool, in the classroom, etc. I compete in my professional career every single day against people globally; the sooner our kids realize this, the better.

OMG! there are foreigners in our universities?!!!!!! lock the doors! pull the blinds! make them go away! Seriously! I agree with Chris as well. This is old sour grapes. I'm not worried for my kids. I don't give a hoot if they get athletic scholarships. I want them to get an education. Not that I don't think college sports can't be rewarding. I just don't view them as the ultimate goal. Having recently been to Auburn, can't say I'd want to go to school there! Sorry Southerners. It's a little remote and rural.

Ironic that Texas's coach helped put the Auburn program on the map in the 70's prior to Richard Quick. Who cares? Why is this important?

I'm so sorry I offended you with my side comment Fortress.............. NOT ! Didn't offend me even in the slightest! hahaha Just didn't think it was remotely relevant to the discussion.

Ironic that Texas's coach helped put the Auburn program on the map in the 70's prior to Richard Quick. Wow, this REALLY makes you sound like you're just pissed off that Texas didn't win. Is that all this whole post is really about?