What role, if any, should USMS play in saving college swimming? How about USA Swimming? Are either currently doing anything about the shrinking base? What can they do?
Aside from the participants themselves (including coaches), both institutions seem to be the greatest benefactors of keeping college swimming around:
USA Swimming benefits because its membership believes it has the ability to earn a scholarship or admission to a college or university that they might not otherwise. They may continue in the sport when there is the belief that they may be rewarded down the road. Some may continue training for significant International competition while not losing time on their education by competing and training while in college.
US Masters Swimming benefits because they have a significantly larger recruitment base because of existing college swimming programs.
Here is what one of our members did:
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../4467.asp
A good article. A good speech. Unfortunately, it did not sway the commission, nor the eventual elimination of further collegiate swimming teams, both men and women.
Perhaps USMS could approach colleges that lack collegiate swimming and create USMS teams on the campuses. However, it will be likely the schools may charge the teams fees, and require proof of indemnity.
Other than that, lobbying (like the well prepared speech in the article) appears about all USMS could do to reverse the trend.
Here is what one of our members did:
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../4467.asp
A good article. A good speech. Unfortunately, it did not sway the commission, nor the eventual elimination of further collegiate swimming teams, both men and women.
Perhaps USMS could approach colleges that lack collegiate swimming and create USMS teams on the campuses. However, it will be likely the schools may charge the teams fees, and require proof of indemnity.
Other than that, lobbying (like the well prepared speech in the article) appears about all USMS could do to reverse the trend.
