University of Hawaii Board of Regents Will NOT Accept Swimming and Diving Program Cuts

University of Hawaii Swimming and Diving Pool

Photo Courtesy: Dan Worden

HONOLULU – The Star Advertiser Newspaper in Hawaii reported last Thursday that the Board of Regents Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics showed little interest in cutting sports as a way for the University of Hawaii athletic department to climb out of its financial struggles.

Although a report prepared for the group by athletic director Ben Jay identified three possible “options” that involved eliminating teams, the committee said Thursday it found none of them palatable.

“None of these options seem to be very feasible or desirable,” said regent Simeon Acoba.

Sailing, men’s and women’s swimming and diving and men’s volleyball had been identified in various scenarios that would save the school $533,000 to $1.37 million, according to the report. Cutting football would have actually cost the department $1.8 million, the report said.

Swimming World talked with Head Swimming Coach Victor Wales while attending his conference meet. “This was a non-story that only had a 24 hour news cycle,” said Wales.

Swimming World originally reported that due to budgetary concerns being placed on the University of Hawaii, the swimming and diving program was in jeopardy, and a report commissioned by the school had listed the two teams as part of necessary cuts to meet upcoming increases in spending.

As part of the NCAA’s revamp of the structure of collegiate scholarships to student-athletes, many programs will be facing more expenses in its budget. According to an article on bizjournals.com, the university’s athletic department is facing an $11 million deficit in the next two years. That is brought on by the NCAA’s “cost of attendance scholarships,” which, according to the article would “factor in expenses beyond tuition, room and board and books.” It’s not a requirement for NCAA Division I schools to offer these scholarships, but many are expected to issue them.

After talking with Wales, Swimming World is convinced that the University of Hawaii Swimming and Diving programs are in good standing. The University has not dropped a sport since 1985, when it eliminated women’s track so that it could add softball. Track was reinstated in 2000. The last men’s sports to be cut were track and wrestling in 1977.

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