Stay of Execution: Syracuse Swimming To Be Phased Out Instead of Cut Immediately

SYRACUSE, New York, January 15. FACING the ax, Syracuse Swimming can chalk a mark into its "short-term win" column, having earned an unexpected three-year reprieve.

Shortly, Syracuse Director of Athletics Daryl Gross will announce that rather than cutting the swimming program at the end of this season, the department will instead embark on a three-year phase out. The swimming and diving scholarships will then be transitioned away to phase in women's ice hockey.

This move gives Save Syracuse Swimming and all involved in trying to save the program more time to develop a long-term strategic plan. It can also be viewed as a win for Gross, who earns points for reducing the impact on current Syracuse swimmers, while he positions his office to support a cut or a resurgence within the three-year timeline.

"We are pleased that Dr. Gross has honored our proposed request of staying the transition for three years," said Lynne Gollands, a member of the Save Syracuse Swimming movement. "Our goal, however, is to still work to preserve and protect the viability of this program long after the current athletes have graduated."

The move now puts the onus to save the program completely on the Save Syracuse Swimming movement and the swimming community.

The question now remains, is three years enough time to do whatever it takes to Save Syracuse?

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