Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSA | Canceled swim program gets assembly's support
By Paige Dearing
Posted: 9/25/07, 12:28 AM EST Section: News
Swimmers Peter Gollands and Sean Ellis made their case to the Student Association Monday night in a presentation informing members of the Syracuse University Athletic Department's decision to cut the swimming program because of facility issues.
"We're told to show a tradition of excellence, and this is a very traditional team. We have years of academic and athletic history," Gollands said. "What we're confused about is why would one of the top academic teams at this university be cut?"
The men's swim team had the highest GPA of SU's 2006-07 athletic teams.
"We all love Syracuse - go Orange - but it's too bad when athletics becomes more of something about money, and not about academics and integrity," he said. "What the administration has said we need is a $40 million, 50-meter pool facility."
SA sees the disconnect.
"This is a university; we're not the New York Yankees," said Meaghan Monfort, SA recorder. "We're not trying to turn a profit and just become an athletic thing. That's just not what we are."
Swim practice has been held in Archbold Gymnasium since the six-lane, 25-meter Ted Webster pool was built in 1950. It was state-of-the-art when it was constructed, but regulations have changed since then.
The Webster pool does not satisfy NCAA requirements for meets and is too old to be considered an adequate facility for a championship winning team, said Director of Athletics Daryl Gross in a 2005 interview with The Daily Orange.
Ellis does not believe an Olympic-sized pool makes winning athletes.
"I was actually privileged enough to swim with Ian Crocker, one of the Olympic gold medalist butterfliers, when he was on my club team when I lived in Maine. In the state of Maine, there is no 50-meter facility," Ellis said. "He trained in a four-lane, 25-meter pool."
William Nottingham Senior High School, on East Genesee Street, has a 50-meter pool. The facility could be rented to the university at a minimal cost, if any, because of coaching connections, Ellis said. Archbold would remain the main facility; Nottingham would be used only for meets.
"We're told to show a tradition of excellence, and this is a very traditional team. We have years of academic and athletic history," Gollands said. "What we're confused about is why would one of the top academic teams at this university be cut?"
The men's swim team had the highest GPA of SU's 2006-07 athletic teams.
"We all love Syracuse - go Orange - but it's too bad when athletics becomes more of something about money, and not about academics and integrity," he said. "What the administration has said we need is a $40 million, 50-meter pool facility."
SA sees the disconnect.
"This is a university; we're not the New York Yankees," said Meaghan Monfort, SA recorder. "We're not trying to turn a profit and just become an athletic thing. That's just not what we are."
Swim practice has been held in Archbold Gymnasium since the six-lane, 25-meter Ted Webster pool was built in 1950. It was state-of-the-art when it was constructed, but regulations have changed since then.
The Webster pool does not satisfy NCAA requirements for meets and is too old to be considered an adequate facility for a championship winning team, said Director of Athletics Daryl Gross in a 2005 interview with The Daily Orange.
Ellis does not believe an Olympic-sized pool makes winning athletes.
"I was actually privileged enough to swim with Ian Crocker, one of the Olympic gold medalist butterfliers, when he was on my club team when I lived in Maine. In the state of Maine, there is no 50-meter facility," Ellis said. "He trained in a four-lane, 25-meter pool."
William Nottingham Senior High School, on East Genesee Street, has a 50-meter pool. The facility could be rented to the university at a minimal cost, if any, because of coaching connections, Ellis said. Archbold would remain the main facility; Nottingham would be used only for meets.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Deborah Manning
posted 9/25/07 @ 8:07 AM EST
I cannot believe the arrogance of the athletic department not to have a representative attending the meeting AND to have the swim/dive team already placed in the "retired" sports when they have one year remaining is unacceptable. (Continued…)
Dominic
posted 9/25/07 @ 8:32 AM EST
It's hard to put a finger on one good thing that has happened since Dr. Gross stepped on campus. He's now hijacked the athletic department against the wishes of the student body and alumni, and he has no desire to hear any alternatives to his way. (Continued…)
Liz Fuselier
posted 9/25/07 @ 10:17 AM EST
A long athletic and academic tradition is enough to maintain the swimming/diving programs at S.U..Dr. Gross has chosen to ignore the current and past student athletes by failing to attend events and meetings. (Continued…)
Helen Bayly
posted 9/25/07 @ 10:52 AM EST
Swimming/Diving has brought credit and honor to Syracuse University for almost a century....with champions and championships galore, yet even more significantly, outstanding alumni themelves in national and world leadership positions. (Continued…)
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