College swimming numbers don't add up $$$

Another program with lack of funding: "MALIBU, California, December 3. A spark of hope for the Pepperdine swimming and diving program occurred earlier this week when the president of the university released a memo stating the steps by which the program can save itself by the end of January 2010. President Andrew Benton gave the following promise, raise $400,000 by January 31, 2010 and the program could be saved. Raise $400,000 by mid-January of each year for the program to continue each year. It's a better chance than most cut programs get, when it usually requires a court battle to even get a chance. Benton has also committed to donate personally to the effort to help it succeed. " The numbers simply do not support the cause - there is no way around it. There are 25 girls on the team (probably more like 20, because the drop rate is always high in college swimming - but let's go with 25). " They need $400,000 per year -- BUT at most they train 8 months out of the year (if that - their season ends very early). With 8 months - each month will cost $50,000 for the program. Each season is $16,000 per swimmer. That makes no economic sense or cents. They have to come up with a different model !