The Good: Syracuse Gets Time

Syracuse University Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross today announced that the University will offer current members of the swimming and diving team the opportunity to continue competing on the intercollegiate level through the exhaustion of their eligibility or the conclusion of the 2010-11 season. This phase-out of the program, which will include a reduced operating budget and competitive schedule, will give team members the opportunity to compete and finish their careers at SU.

"We are pleased that Dr. Gross and the Syracuse University administration acknowledged, reviewed and accepted our initial proposal that was presented this fall, to extend the program an additional three years." said Lynne Gollards, the parent of a SU swimmer.  "All concerned parties, swimmers, parents alumni and supporters concur that the University has chosen the right path of integrity by honoring its contract to these extraordinary student-athletes.   

“We have had some student-athletes who, although they recognize the program has been discontinued, have expressed an interest in finding a way to complete their career as student-athletes at SU,” Gross said. “Though swimming and diving as an intercollegiate program has officially ended at SU, this phase-out will honor the commitment our student-athletes have made, allow them to complete their careers at Syracuse and give them the chance to continue to compete. “

This plan provides current swimming and diving student-athletes three options from which to choose: to continue to swim/dive at SU; to retain their SU scholarship but not remain on the team; or to transfer to another institution. Recruiting of student-athletes for the team has already ceased, and the phase-out of the program will begin with the 2008-09 season. This phase-out will end after the 2010-11 season. In June, 2007, the Athletics Department announced the discontinuation of the swimming and diving team after the 2007-08 season.

Gollards added, "As initially expressed through meetings with the administration, and our proposal, the ultimate goal of this organization is to address and solidify the long range viability of the Syracuse Swimming and Diving Program long after the current athletes have graduated."