Lots of news lately about possible conference realignments in the NCAA. I see the first official move was made today with Colorado agreeing to join the Pac-10. The Pac-10 is also looking at several other Big 12 schools. The Big Ten is looking at adding members with Nebraska and Notre Dame being mentioned.
So how will this affect college swimming? My gut tells me it's neutral or negative. I think football is the driving force in these realignments and it will just marginalize the non-revenue sports even more than they already are.
Any thoughts?
P.S. by the way, the Pac-10's possible realignment to a 16 team conference by adding six Big 12 teams will only increase the number of men's swim teams to seven in the conference (Texas and TAMU being the new ones). So the conference would go from 5/10 teams fielding men's teams to 7/16.
Texas has the largest budget and revenue in the country - about $140M...Texas is showing that they are an athletic financial powerhouse, but on field results don't match up.For those of us in "minor" sports, I think we'd be happy if each of our respective alma maters could learn more about fiscal prowess when it comes to athletics; the number one reason always given for cutting swimming programs is money. I know many of us don't always like the glory (and # of scholarships) that football or basketball teams get on campus, but if they keep the coffers full and the chlorine pumping, more power to 'em.
Texas has the largest budget and revenue in the country - about $140M...Texas is showing that they are an athletic financial powerhouse, but on field results don't match up.For those of us in "minor" sports, I think we'd be happy if each of our respective alma maters could learn more about fiscal prowess when it comes to athletics; the number one reason always given for cutting swimming programs is money. I know many of us don't always like the glory (and # of scholarships) that football or basketball teams get on campus, but if they keep the coffers full and the chlorine pumping, more power to 'em.
