Letter to Congress Makes Plea For Support of Non-Revenue College Sports – Sign Petition

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ISHOF Letter to Congress Makes Plea For Financial Support of Non-Revenue College Sports

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In response to the numerous cuts of non-revenue sports at universities across the United States, most of which have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors has made a plea for help. The 16-member Board has drafted a letter to the United States Congress asking that financial support is provided to maintain these non-revenue sports, and to prevent additional programs from being cut.

In recent months in the sport of swimming, universities such as Iowa, Michigan State and Dartmouth, among others, have eliminated swimming programs. History indicates that once a program is cut by a school, it is highly unlikely it will ever be brought back. When these cuts are made, current athletes are forced to scramble, and fewer opportunities are available for future athletes.

Open Letter To Congress

In the letter to Congress, the ISHOF Board wrote: “We are asking you, when considering economic stimulus, to create funds specifically for sports that are being cut from college campuses nationwide. These funds could be applied for by the athletic departments ideally as grants or even as long term zero interest loans to be paid back over time. Anything to help keep these sports available for our youth would be a wise investment in our society.”

The letter from the Board to Congress further stated: “The collegiate sports system is an essential part of the collegiate and high school educational systems. Sports provides lessons in teamwork, leadership, motivation, discipline, and provides many other positive benefits to MILLIONS of student athletes, teenagers, and youth across the country.”

The complete letter from the International Swimming Hall of Fame to Congress can be read below. Among those signing the letter are Olympic champions Aaron Peirsol and Donna de Varona, and multiple-time Olympic coach Mark Schubert.

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ISHOF Letter to Congress

 

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Ryan Guerra
3 years ago

This an excellent letter. USA Swimming should be aggressively championing this cause, too, but they don’t have much support or trust from Congress because of the numerous sexual abuse coverups from the staff and board of directors.You would think USA Swimming would make meaningful changes, but they’ve still got employees working there and board members that were complicit with disgraced former USA Swimming leader, Chuck Wielgus, in the scandal.

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