College Coaches Giving Back $6.2 Million to Stay Ahead of Potential Cuts

by Dan D'Addona — Swimming World Managing Editor

28 May 2020, 05:00am

The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Division I coaches have banded together to slash costs and identify ways to make swimming more sustainable in response to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far, coaches have voluntarily given back more than $6.2 million from the 2020-21 school year budget, according to the CSCAA.

“We are educators and stewards of a sport that has taught us the value of sacrifice and the importance of being a team player,” the CSCAA statement read. “These decisions have not been easy. Savings have come from every area imaginable – scholarships, roster sizes, salaries, and staffing. Many of us have swapped top-ranked national matchups for lower profile in-state competitions. Others are exploring virtual meets. Some coaches have surrendered preseason or winter training trips. Others have declined bonuses.”

The volunteered cuts are different for every coach, since every coach is in a unique situation. As a non-revenue sport, swimming programs are often the first on the chopping block when cuts have to be made, and the Division I coaches are demonstrating a proactive approach to stay ahead of a potential axe.

“Not every coach has been able to make the same sacrifices,” the CSCAA statement read. “Swimming and diving already has some of the smallest budgets in college athletics.  While small, our budgets have a big impact. Despite being a ‘non-revenue’ sport, Division I swimmers and divers paid $273 million in tuition and fees, and after they graduate more than 40% go into one of the STEM fields. We’re not just coaching future champions, we’re developing the type of people society needs the most. There is much more that can be done, but we committed to doing our part to create a sustainable sport that adds value to our athletic departments, institutions, and communities.”

The statement is signed by:

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Jonathan Ballard

3 years ago

Way to step up! This really is a great gift to the sport! I do not know where I would have been if it had not been for swimming.

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Tracey Richards Chiulli

3 years ago

Thank you!

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Melissa Moss

3 years ago

I can imagine this was very hard on a lot of levels. What a great example of Individual parts sacrificing for the benefit of the whole. Thank you.

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Rob Richardson

3 years ago

Excellent move!

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