INDIANAPOLIS, June 26. THE United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is sponsoring a one-day seminar to address the decline of Olympic sports programs in American colleges and universities. The meeting, which takes place today at the University Place Hotel in Indianapolis, is being held "in an effort to identify alternatives to the current trend of eliminating collegiate programs that include Olympic sports," according to a USOC press release.<\/p>\n
The discussion at this gathering of what the USOC calls "thought leaders on the subject" reportedly will focus on finding methods for maintaining solid American
\nathletic performance in affected sports beyond the 2004 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
Inexplicably, none of the leaders in the struggle to bring attention to and find solutions for this grave problem have been invited to the seminar. These include Northwestern University swim coach Bob Groseth, George Block of the American Swimming Coaches association (ASCA), and Phil Whitten of Swimming World<\/i>. Equally strange, no athletes were invited to participate.<\/p>\n
According to Block, a former president of ASCA, the meeting was called at the initiative of Chuck Wielgus, Executive Director of USA Swimming, to his great credit. Wielgus, of course, had nothing to do with the selection of who would be invited to attend the meeting.<\/p>\n
Recently, Wielgus has become aware of the gravity of the problem. He was largely responsible for USA Swimming\u2019s decision to print and distribute several thousands of copies of Phil Whitten\u2019s booklet, "How to Save Your Swim Program." The book analyzes the problem of the decline in Olympic sports \u2013 particularly men\u2019s<\/i> Olympic sports; outlines steps coaches should take to immunize their teams from being cut; and lists steps coaches should take if their teams are already slated for the ax. \t <\/p>\n
It is not clear how serious the USOC is about addressing the problem of the precipitous decline of Olympic and other so-called \u201cminor\u201d sports at the collegiate level. Still, the fact that a discussion is even taking place is a hopeful sign. Former USOC president Sandra Baldwin indicated little interest in the issue during her brief presidency.. <\/p>\n
According to the USOC, program topics at the seminar will include:
\n\u2022\tThe Facts and Figures Regarding the Decline in Olympic Sports on
\nCollege Campuses
\n\u2022\tThe NCAA Perspective
\n\u2022\tThe Economics of College and University Sports Programs
\n\u2022\tWomen's Perspectives
\n\u2022\tLegislative Issues
\n\u2022\tNational Governing Body View<\/p>\n
"What we hope to begin is a very frank conversation on how we can curb the
\ncurrent tide that has seen the elimination of programs that have a direct
\nimpact on the performance and talent pool of our Olympic-caliber athletes,"
\nsaid Lloyd Ward, USOC Chief Executive Officer. "For decades the college
\ncommunity has been a major contributor to the development and success of
\nour Olympic athletes. Through the creative thinking of the individuals on
\nthis panel, we hope to ensure our universities will continue to produce
\nfuture generations of American heroes."<\/p>\n
Among the sports and community leaders invited to participate are:
\n Lloyd D. Ward, Chief Executive Officer, USOC
\n Marty Mankamyer, Acting President, USOC
\n Jim Scherr, Senior Managing Director, USOC
\n Jeff Benz, General Counsel, USOC
\n Herman Frazier, USOC Vice President and Athletic Director, University of
\n Alabama, Birmingham
\n Richard Aronson, Executive Director, National Gymnastics Coaches
\n Association
\n Rosie Stallman, Director, Education Outreach, NCAA
\n Marilyn McNeil, Chair, NCAA Women's Committee
\n Julie Chen, Chief Legal Officer, U.S. Tennis Association
\n Jessica Gavora, Author
\n Christine Grant, Professor, University of Iowa
\n David Roach, Athletics Director, Brown University
\n Steven Bull, Director, Government Relations, USOC
\n Mike Harrigan, Former Commissioner, President's Commission on Olympic
\n Sports
\n Eric Pearson, Chairman, College Sports Council
\n Chuck Wielgus, Executive Director, USA Swimming
\n Rich Bender, Executive Director, USA Wrestling
\n Bob Colarossi, President, USA Gymnastics
\n Craig Masback, CEO, USA Track and Field<\/p>\n
Wednesday, June 26 Schedule
\nUniversity Place Hotel, Indianapolis<\/p>\n
Noon-1:00 p.m. Lunch<\/p>\n
1:00-1:30 p.m.
\n Opening Remarks
\n Lloyd Ward, CEO, USOC
\n Marty Mankamyer, Acting President, USOC<\/p>\n
1:30-1:50 p.m.
\n The Facts and Figures Regarding the Decline in Olympic Sports on
\n College Campuses
\n Jim Scherr, Senior Managing Director, USOC<\/p>\n
1:50-2:45 p.m.
\n Legislative Issues; Historical Activity and Prospective Opportunity
\n Steven Bull, Director, Government Relations, USOC
\n Mike Harrigan, Former Executive Director, President's Commission on
\nOlympic Sports
\n Eric Pearson, Chairman, College Sports Council<\/p>\n
2:45-3:00 p.m. Break<\/p>\n
3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
\n The NCAA Perspective
\n Rosie Stallman, Director, Education Outreach, NCAA
\n Marilyn McNeil, Chair, NCAA Women's Committee<\/p>\n
4:00-4:45 p.m.
\n NGB Perspectives
\n Chuck Wielgus, Executive Director, USA Swimming
\n Rich Bender, Executive Director, USA Wrestling
\n Bob Colarossi, President, USA Gymnastics
\n Craig Masback, CEO, USA Track and Field<\/p>\n
4:45-5:45 p.m.
\n The Economics of College and University Sports Programs
\n Herman Frazier, Athletic Director, University of Alabama, Birmingham
\n David Roach, Athletic Director, Brown University
\n Richard Aronson, Executive Director, Gymnastics Coaches Assoc.<\/p>\n
5:45-6:00 p.m. Break<\/p>\n
6:00-7:00 p.m.
\n Women's Perspectives
\n Julie Chen, Chief Legal Officer, U.S. Tennis Association
\n Jessica Gavora, Author
\n Christine Grant, Professor, University of Iowa<\/p>\n
7:00-7:30 p.m.
\n Closing Remarks\/Toward a Path to Progress
\n Marty Mankamyer, Acting President, USOC
\n Lloyd Ward, CEO, USOC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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