Spring Break
The Daily OrangeS/D | Orange ecstatic after program's stay of execution
By Tyler Dunne
Posted: 1/24/08, 10:22 PM EST Section: Sports
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One reason is the oversized fan Syracuse head coach Lou Walker reeled in to combat the facility's brutally muggy heat. But the team's boiling frustration with the program's pending extinction has also dipped a few degrees.
As the Syracuse swimming and diving teams travel to Seton Hall Saturday, they'll do so with a renewed reality. As long as they're around, so is their swimming team. On Jan. 15, Syracuse Director of Athletics Daryl Gross announced that members of the Orange swimming and diving teams may continue competing for the remainder of their eligibility.
The new three-year "phase-out" program wasn't just a surprise. It was a shock.
"It was awesome to see everyone's face when he told us the news," junior Peter Gollands said. "A lot of kids had the mindset that they weren't going to be swimming next year. So it's almost like they have to get reused to the idea of swimming next year."
Freshman Kaitlin O'Hara is one of the 33 underclassmen that hit the reset button on their Syracuse careers last week. The team's leader in the 50-yard freestyle (23.97) and 100 free (52.87) was planning on transferring to either Villanova or another school, but will stay at Syracuse as a result of last week's decision. The announcement instantly triggered a surreal vibe throughout the team.
"I really didn't know how to react," O'Hara said. "I was told since June that I'm going to either not swim or pick another school and when you're finally told 'Oh wait, they are keeping swimming here,' you're like, 'Say that again one more time.'"
Eight months ago, Gross announced that the men and women swimming teams would be cut after the 2007-08 season. Since then the "Save Syracuse Swimming" movement attracted attention from nearly everyone on the national swimming scene. Driven by alumni, family and friends, the coalition's interactive website is highlighted by a petition to reinstate the team. The sport's heaviest hitters have chimed in, including six-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and two-time champ Natalie Coughlin. As of press date, the appeal had 4,380 signatures - many with an accompanying letter.
The movement's cyber force was matched with a boisterous domestic effort. The SU Student Association teamed with Orange swimmers for a rally before the Syracuse-Rhode Island men's basketball game Dec. 8 outside of the Carrier Dome. More than 500 T-shirts were dispersed to the student body, along with informational flyers. The constant pressure from various sources was a key factor in the decision, Gollands said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Lynne Gollands
posted 1/25/08 @ 10:55 AM EST
The supporters of Syracuse Swimming and Diving are thrilled with the reinstatement of the program for the next 3 years. The Athletic Department and the Administration chose the path of honor and integrity by allowing these committed athletes and coaches to continue their careers. (Continued…)
Kirk S
posted 1/25/08 @ 11:43 AM EST
The administration has finally shown some deceny in allowing the current swimming and diving team members to finish out their Collegiate careers at the Institution they decided to dedicate four years to. (Continued…)
Jeffrey P Corcoran
posted 1/25/08 @ 12:53 PM EST
Let's not forget: the administration didn't so much as "announce" the termination of the program as admit it. As such, I suspect the "announcement" of retaining the program, even if only briefly and half-heartedly, came only shortly before some more pain was going to rain down on them. (Continued…)
William
posted 1/25/08 @ 6:27 PM EST
Congratulations to all who made the reinstatement possible. Any good university should have a swimming/diving program and SU is certainly no exception in that regard. (Continued…)
Shane Ellis
posted 1/27/08 @ 8:45 PM EST
Thank God there is someone with integrity at Syracuse University. Reinstatement of the swimming program to allow the current Freshmen to finish their college swimming years was the correct thing to do. (Continued…)
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