Originally published Dec 16, 2020, Updated December 17 with new statements from president Caslen
In a story reported by the Charlotte Observer yesterday, University of South Carolina school president Bob Caslen said a budget deficit might result in the school cutting the men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs, among other sports.
South Carolina’s athletic department is facing a $40 million-plus deficit and is expected to take on loans to get through this fiscal year. Caslen said that a trustee meeting on Tuesday included “discussions about eliminating sports,” with men’s and women’s swimming and diving mentioned, as well as men’s soccer and equestrian.
Caslen has expressed his hopes to avoid any program cuts.
“If we can preserve those teams, my desire is because of the goodness they provide our student-athletes we would like to do that. There are unintended consequences like cutting pathways to professional or Olympic sports,” Caslen said.
“I believe [not cutting is] the right thing to do. In the end, we may have to do it.”
A day after his original comments, Caslen attempted to walk back any concerns over the future of the mentioned programs.
“I want to reiterate that the goal of Athletics Director Ray Tanner and myself remains to preserve the robust athletics program we enjoy at the University of South Carolina. Student athletes set a tremendous example for our entire university community and the administration is working hard to ensure each of our teams is supported, even as we face serious challenges. Our student-athletes and fans deserve nothing less. There are no plans to cut any sports programs at Carolina.”
If South Carolina ends up cutting the swimming & diving programs, they’d join a growing number of schools that have eliminated sports to make up for revenue losses at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, other Division I programs to cut swimming & diving include Iowa (men and women), Michigan State (men and women), Boise State (women), UConn (men), Dartmouth (men and women), East Carolina (men and women), Western Illinois (men and women)
The Gamecock athletic department would also be the third DI institution in the state of South Carolina to axe swimming & diving programs in the last decade after Clemson cut their swimming and men’s diving teams after the 2010-11 season and the College of Charleston cut their programs in 2015. Clemson made it final by eliminating women’s diving after the 2016-17 season.
Last season, South Carolina’s women finished ninth out of 12 teams and their men were last at the 2020 SEC Championships. They weren’t without bright spots, though, as Itay Goldfaden won the 100 breast conference title and the Gamecock women had several A-finalists at the meet.
They should hire South Carolina Swimming legend, Travis Morrin as the new head coach to save the program. Coach Morrin has perfected the art of elite swimming. He is also fluent in all forms of English and is very patient. The man is a SC native and would do anything for the program. He would even shave his beautiful long and wavy hair to save this program. Do you want character? Travis’s middle name is Character.
I second the nomination!
They’ve already decided to cut. These type of comments by university leaders are strategic, in hopes to make the inevitable hammer less painful or unexpected. They NEVER disclose discussions/topics without a purpose. Shameful even to attempt to game it like that – as if we’re not smart enough to see through.
Trial balloon. UConn sorta did it the same way.
Also, was told that soccer had a long time coach that just retired and that it’s the only SEC school with soccer so you’d have to be crazy to not see that as a real target too.
They are not the only SEC school with soccer.
South Carolina and Kentucky both have men’s soccer.
All 14 SEC schools have women’s programs.
I didn’t know South Carolina had swimming? Interesting!
Huge warning here…hoping the coach and swimmers prepare for the next stage… I worry the wheels may already be in motion. All swim programs need to prepare for sneaky Administrators, Presidents and Athletic Directors looking for ways to cut budget. Swimming programs across the Nation are under attack.
Looks like they’re saved.
https://twitter.com/CSCAA/status/1339720775763419138?s=20
You’re awfully naive if you believe that’s anything other than the president turning tail to cover his hide from a mob of angry parents.
When he winds up cutting teams anyway, “but you said there were no plans to cut teams” will be the least of his worries. It’s real easy lip service for these politicians (and that’s all university presidents really are) to say ‘well, at the time there were no plans to cut programs, but then the situation changed, and plans were put in place.’
Perhaps instead of whining and crying coaches and the CSCAA might want to pursue our sport by offering viable changes. From the viewpoint of an AD, swimming is more of a pain and drain that positive. Can we find realistic ways to self-budget in a more realistic manner? Heck yes. Every SA on a team costs the athletic dept money, yet we see team with 30, 35 or 40 same sex team members. Conference meets with 18 or more. I say one coach per gender, no more diving, maximum team size of 10 men and 14 women. This gives swimming a few more years.
Oftentimes the programs with a larger number of team members are there for a reason, such as adding to the number of total female/male athletes at the school to comply with Title IX requirements. An athletic department sets a budget for every team. It is then up to the coach to decide how many swimmers they would like, taking into account the budgetary constraints, because yes, you’re right every student athlete does cost money. Next, why do you automatically go after diving? It is an Olympic sport as well. Lastly, cutting the teams to that small of a size puts an even bigger dent in club swimming, as collegiate swimming would become more selective, and not offer as many opportunities… Read more »
Yes we must down down to Title IX, diving and club swimming – my bad. Does not the deletion of college teams somehow limit opportunities?
This program should never be cut. I don’t care how many SEC/NCAA champs they have or what place they get at conference every year. This program has grown a tremendous amount of the last ten years and continues to create top talent in the country. This team incorporates all of the characteristics you want in a team. Family oriented, a staff that truly cares about their swimmers outside of the pool, and a university that creates legacy just within its name. This program does not deserve to go and would be a true loss to many people.
Boosters are paying Muschamps buyout fine. But ESPN just bought the SECs tv rights for 300 MILLION A YEAR. To cut programs in the very same week is as transparent as can be. The future has schools running a professional basketball and football league Olympic sports be damned.