Just awful. I feel SO, badly for current students and those that are starting their freshman year in the fall. What should be such an exciting time in their lives is filled with uncertainty and (maybe) regret.
And I know only a small fraction of high school athletes receive scholarships to compete in college, so that's not why most kids compete in sports. But it's still just not good for USA swimming when another door closes for kids looking to swim in college.
BUT, I have to ask this question.... It's been discussed before, but I don't remember seeing good data. Are we sure that the football program is at all to blame? Of course these programs cost a fortune, but I thought they were big revenue generators through ticket sales, TV rights, support from alumni who still feel connected specifically because of football, licensed apparel, you name it. I always believed the money for my scholarship and our entire swim program at Alabama was due to our very successful football program. Does anyone have good data on this issue?
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Former Member
Just awful. I feel SO, badly for current students and those that are starting their freshman year in the fall. What should be such an exciting time in their lives is filled with uncertainty and (maybe) regret.
And I know only a small fraction of high school athletes receive scholarships to compete in college, so that's not why most kids compete in sports. But it's still just not good for USA swimming when another door closes for kids looking to swim in college.
BUT, I have to ask this question.... It's been discussed before, but I don't remember seeing good data. Are we sure that the football program is at all to blame? Of course these programs cost a fortune, but I thought they were big revenue generators through ticket sales, TV rights, support from alumni who still feel connected specifically because of football, licensed apparel, you name it. I always believed the money for my scholarship and our entire swim program at Alabama was due to our very successful football program. Does anyone have good data on this issue?