PHOENIX, Arizona, December 5. TODAY, SwimmingWorldMagazine.com obtained copies of support statements from some heavy hitters that SaveSyracuseSwimming.com acquired while at the USA Short Course Championships.
Here are some of the statements supporting Syracuse swimming, and college swimming in general, provided by such standouts like Michael Phelps, Natalie Coughlin and Ryan Lochte:
I am an international student at California-Berkeley and chose to come to a U.S. university to pursue swimming, which is a very well recognized international sport. By combining swimming with academics, students can excel in two influential aspects of life. Cutting a swim team denies athletes the chance to be successful in sports and academics, which distinguishes them and offers more opportunities.
Lauren Boyle
Participating in college swimming has changed my life for the better. If it wasn't for college swimming, my career would have ended 8 years ago. Since then, I've broken world records, won 5 Olympics medals and have been named National Team captain for the past three years.
Natalie Coughlin
Swimming promotes good work ethic, time management and gives hard-working athletes opportunities to show off in the pool and in the classroom. Swimmers are generally excellent students and add much to university dynamics.
Mary DeScenza
I believe that the Syracuse administration needs to reconsider its decision to cut men's and women's swimming because swimming teaches student-athletes dedication, hard work, time management and confidence. These characteristics are needed to be successful students, and to become successful professionals some day.
If the Syracuse administration has any reservations about the hard work and dedication of these student-athletes, I feel they need to look at how hard they are working to keep their team from being cut. In my opinion, it would be a mistake to cut the Syracuse men's and women's swim team.
Mark Gangloff
I personally have trained with some of the athletes on the Syracuse Swimming team, and honestly believe that it would be an enormous mistake to cut the program. I know the potential that your athletes have and believes you are losing and throwing away more than imaginable.
Jessica Hardy
Collegiate swimming made a huge impact in my life and changes the way athletes approach their future after the sport. Swimmers are always the hardest workers and most dedicated athletes that employers are looking for. Not only are swimmers dedicated, but they have class and are great people overall.
Jason Lezak
Swimmers are usually the smartest, most dedicated and most disciplined student-athletes. What message does it send? Money is everything! Principals and character are nothing! That's the message that shutting down the swimming program sends. Not a good message for a university with tradition.
Michael Lohberg
Swimming is not just another sport. It allows a swimmer to learn discipline, respect, courage and makes dreams come true. By cutting the program, you are limiting those athletes, which is not fair. A 90-year program of both academic and athletic excellence, and Syracuse administration want that gone. Let's keep the tradition alive, and I will come to Syracuse and do a swim clinic for all swimmers.
Ryan Lochte
Swimming is a lifelong sport. Swimmers excel in life. Swimmers also give back. Keep swimming!
David Marsh
Swimming teaches life lessons that you can use for every situation in life. It's part of a well-rounded education.
Michael Phelps
Collegiate swimmers represent all that collegiate athletes should stand for: strong work ethic, academic excellence and superior graduation rates. It is ironic that a sport like this could be eliminated in light of the problems that surround so many other collegiate sports. I encourage you to reevaluate the poor decision to eliminate the Olympic sport of swimming at such a distinguished university as Syracuse.
Jim Richardson
Swimming, like many other sports, builds and reveals an athlete's true character. It is a sport that requires sacrifice, hard work, and above all passion. Eliminating the men's and women's swim programs would not only take away from the team camaraderie, but also take away their passion from a sport they truly love.
Kaitlin Sandeno
Swimming offers great opportunities. Swimmers are positive role models that represent Syracuse very well. Syracuse should NOT be limiting opportunities for its students!
Bill Schalz
Visit SaveSyracuseSwimming.com to see what you can do to help.