Coaches Expressed Mixed Views on Combined Formats

No discussion of the 2008-09 season can go long before arriving at the topic of technical suits.  Most every coach had an opinion, and almost every member of the NCAA committee was on the receiving end of those opinions at some point.  The result was action (or, according to many, reaction) with a speed not typically seen from the NCAA or its committees.  As much as technical suits reached the boiling point, a seemingly bigger issue simmered beneath the surface - the prospect of a combined meet.

[The CSCAA is also conducting a Technical Suit Survey. - Click Here to Access the Survey through May 12]

While suits are a real, tangible issue, the prospect of a combined meet has been far more clouded.  The NCAA, and representatives from ASCA and USA Swimming have discussed the notion of a combined meet, or even a swimming "Festival" that would combine championships from all three divisions.   In July, the NCAA Division I committee endorsed the concept of a combined meet, but stopped short of sponsoring such a proposal.  Reactions have been strong, but not necessarily informed by a formal proposal.  Having already seen their sport affected by swimsuit manufacturers and vendors, many coaches have expressed concern about their sport being affected by factors outside of their control.

Coaches will have an opportunity to make their voice heard at the upcoming CSCAA Convention in Chicago (May 21-24), but early indications show a sharply-divided membership.  A recent CSCAA survey of coaches shows Division I vigorously opposed to a combined men's and women's meet.  The survey drew nearly 350 respondents and produced nearly forty-pages of comments.

Combined vs. Separate Championships

Not surprisingly, coaches were in favor with that which they were familiar.  Nearly three-quarters of Division I coaches were in favor of separate championships for each gender and division. In Division II, which already sponsors a co-ed championship, over 80% of coaches endorsed the continuation of a co-ed meet.  Division III sponsored its first-ever combined meet this season, and based on the survey results, their coaches liked what they saw with over 70% of respondents in favor of a combined meet.

Coaches sited decreased travel, cost, excitement of the meet, and team atmosphere as the chief benefits of a combined championship.  With sixty-five percent of those polled were in favor of a combined championship, co-ed coaches were the biggest supporters of this idea.

The biggest objections to a combined meet were space, length of the meet and time away from the classroom, and a fear of a smaller participant cap.  Coaches of women's teams frequently cited a fear of the men's teams overshadowing the accomplishments of the women.  Nearly three-quarters of women's coaches polled voiced their support for separate championships.

"Festival Format"

One thing that nearly every coach could agree upon was their opposition to a combined swimming Festival that would encompass men and women from all three divisions.  No fewer than 80% of coaches opposed the idea, with nearly nine of ten Division I respondents raising objections.  Space considerations and the belief that Division I would overshadow the two smaller divisions were the chief objections raised.  Division II coaches, who have some experience with a Festival Format, were some of the strongest opponents of the concept.  They frequently cited the cost of the festival and the out-of-control party that ensued following the final day of competition.   Over one-hundred coaches perceived the same benefit of a Festival Format - "none."

Championship Elements

Not every issue elicited the passion that the meet formats did.  The CSCAA also surveyed the duration of the meet, relay format, and awards placement.  Nearly two-thirds of coaches favored the continuation of separate meets over a three-day format, while half felt a combined meet should he held over four days.  Coaches supported keeping the 200 and 400 relays as prelim-final events with the 800 freestyle relay remaining a timed final event.    Coaches were evenly split over whether awards should be presented to championship and consolation finalists vs. championship finalists only.

Complete Survey Results