I don't know if you have seen any of the stories on Swimming World web site about ASA and CU.
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Anyway, it is a fairly funny situation. I have no idea who Keith Bell is, but ASA seems like an odd organization. They create rules that are supposed to be fun, but then they kick out a team for having fun or poking fun at the organization. Maybe there are more details about why they were kicked-out of the organization that are more sinister, but on the surface this sounds like one family on a power trip which doesn't make for much of an "organization".
I was wondering whether USMS might consider sponsoring a college club championship next year. It would grow membership and it would introduce young swimmers to our organization. Anyone out there from USMS listening?
I have swum in a meet with the CU swimmers and I have to say there are a very nice bunch and I thought they were very respectful. They were as serious about swimming as your average masters competitor. I hate to see them without an alternative for college club swimming because one guy doesn't want them in his "organization". If Keith Bell makes money from a college club championship, I bet USMS could as well and it might increase future USMS membership.
Some of Dr. Bell's ideas do sound fun though. I would love to be able to do any type of turn I wanted and one hand touches.
Just a thought for USMS.....college club swimming.
Tim
In addition to trying to snag the club championships, we could double down on our growth potential by swimming under our rules and by telling FINA to piss off for SCY and allowing the suits.
Like ASA, we already have our own set of wacky rules. In addition to allowing the suits through June of this year, we race 50s of stroke and the 100 IM. (And of course there is always Allen's perennial favorite, the butterfrog). But considering that we have the likes of Cullen Jones, Nick Brunelli, and Mark Gangloff coming to Hotlanta (and presumably wearing magic suits); and with Gangloff and Brunelli competing in the 100 IM, I'm guessing our wacky rules have an appeal to some.
I believe that continuing to allow the suits would allow USMS to continue to attract top swimmers to our events. It would also no doubt result in a load of free publicity, especially if the times were tantalizingly fast. Attracting a top level championship in the younger age demographic, or even just signing up more members in the underrepresented 18-24 and 25-29 age groups, would only benefit our organization.
In addition to trying to snag the club championships, we could double down on our growth potential by swimming under our rules and by telling FINA to piss off for SCY and allowing the suits.
Like ASA, we already have our own set of wacky rules. In addition to allowing the suits through June of this year, we race 50s of stroke and the 100 IM. (And of course there is always Allen's perennial favorite, the butterfrog). But considering that we have the likes of Cullen Jones, Nick Brunelli, and Mark Gangloff coming to Hotlanta (and presumably wearing magic suits); and with Gangloff and Brunelli competing in the 100 IM, I'm guessing our wacky rules have an appeal to some.
I believe that continuing to allow the suits would allow USMS to continue to attract top swimmers to our events. It would also no doubt result in a load of free publicity, especially if the times were tantalizingly fast. Attracting a top level championship in the younger age demographic, or even just signing up more members in the underrepresented 18-24 and 25-29 age groups, would only benefit our organization.
