With Thursday’s stunning news that all three divisions’ 2020 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships are canceled — including Division II’s meet, which was halfway done — swimmers took to social media to air their emotions. Below, we’ve rounded up responses so far from swimmers around the country.
Lots of emotions to this. This was supposed to be a comeback year for me after redshirting due to injury. I know many athletes have made similar sacrifices and can only hope that this is the right decision for our country but DAMN this really hurts and I know I’m not alone https://t.co/dVvR3mauDw
— grantshoults (@grantshoults) March 12, 2020
The NCAA should give all seniors the option of another year of eligibility
— Andrew Wilson (@awil5504) March 12, 2020
I guess redshirting this year wasn’t too bad after all, but not everyone is as lucky as me. @NCAA should really consider giving athletes affected an additional year of eligibility, if they want it.
— Trey Freeman (@tfreeman_3) March 12, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9paZUsAkgK/
I think it’s important to remember that student-athletes don’t get paid. They work their asses off everyday and get “paid” through moments. Today so many of these moments were stripped away from them. Don’t minimize their grieving because you lack the understanding of their pain.
— Amy Bilquist (@amybilquist) March 13, 2020
Go bears pic.twitter.com/M8714U9oiQ
— Tom Shields (@beefyTshields) March 13, 2020
This article really nails it. Scary day for everyone, heartbreaking for others. Super bummed for all athletes, especially @calmenswim and it’s seniors https://t.co/IPmECKpKb2
— Ryan Murphy (@ryan_f_murphy) March 13, 2020
Doing this is the right thing to do https://t.co/WdrqcIPmJ2
— Justin Ress (@LilJRess) March 13, 2020
To all the athletes that have been affected the last couple of days…my heart breaks for all of you. I know the sacrifice you have gone through. I (and so many others) know how it feels. #1980boycott Just know it’s temporary and you will ALL become stronger from this adversity.
— Rowdy Gaines (@RowdyGaines) March 13, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pmQX3HmrJ/
Its worst for the elderly like Tom Hanks who also has diabetes. On the other hand, they are trying to stopped the spread. I too lost thousands of dollars with the stock market going down and interest rates at zero hurting CS;s.
Except you haven’t actually lost money unless you were foolish enough to sell the second your stocks dropped.
The NCAA should have move the meet to Australia where they are still competing.
Swimming restrictions start on Monday in Australia. And other sports. Plus most of our cases now are from people flying in from the USA .
The NCAA should reward all seniors another year free.
Why only Seniors? All classes were affected.
Exactly. Why should seniors get 4 chances at the ring while freshmen, sophomores and juniors only get 3?
Of course, none of this matters until we get out of this terrible situation.
Yes while I feel worse for the Seniors, everyone deserve their full 4 years… everyone involved deserves that option.
Would not help most – except for the very top few, most have jobs lined up, can’t afford another year’s tuition
I would have preferred to see an athlete-only event televised/webcast. It’s heart breaking to know that there are athletes that literally own American records, but don’t have a shot to take home an NCAA title. I think there should have been more thought into the cancellation and creative ideas to find a solution hat limits the total number of athletes on deck at any given time.
This is a pretty serious situation that we are in. Have you seen what Italy looks like right now? That will be us if we don’t start self quarantining soon.
Well as it turns out many schools were cancelling their athletics including Big 12 prior to NCAA making their announcement. At that point, I feel the damage was done and out of their control to an extent.
Stop complaining
You have no idea how hard these athletes had to work. And the countless hours of training and dedication to this sport.
Don’t feed the troll
It’s alright they’ve probably never been great and don’t understand…
Poo – I am happy you wrote your words. Complaining does nothing productive. Heartbreaking is a relative term. For me heartbreaking is losing a loved one, losing ones career or suffering through a devastating disease or injury. On the continuum of things about which to be heartbroken this aint it. Disappointed sure. Life goes on…and yes I am a high level D1 athlete with International swimming experience.
That is your personal opinion. Many athletes feel that their sport was ripped from them, and being an athlete myself that feels like a death. Something you put so much time and effort into being ripped away from you without control is heartbreaking. Losing the ability to do something you’ve done every day for the past 10+ years without a say is heartbreaking. This is not complaining, it’s voicing pain and disappointment and that happens every day.
“And yes I am a high level D1 athlete with International swimming experience”.. sounds like you don’t care because you didn’t make NCAAs and you would prefer to look down upon those that made it and now can’t compete. To train your ass off for years and to get a shot at a title then not even able to step on the block is going to be emotional to many. Sounds like you have more of a grudge against those that should have been racing. There’s always synchronized swimming.
There’s no way in hell I believe that you’re a “high level D1 swimmer” given the absurdity of your comments.
Given the absuridy of your comment you MIGHT be correct. I once made a 25 crawl stroke in under 23 seconds! Signed 4 year NCAA All-American.
Hahaha. I’m not sure if you’re joking or serious. So you can break a minute in a 50? Congrats. Lol.
Can confirm that Ladyvoldisser was a very high-caliber NCAA swimmer, in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Lol. People legitimately trying to brag about achievements on swimswam that have little to no weight.
This fact takes the trolling from annoying deep into sad territory.
I would respectfully disagree with you. This is something that will benefit the greater good, and athletes understand that. But this is also something that these athletes can and should take a few days to let themselves be upset about and then use this setback to make them better people and athletes in the long run. But in this very moment I would say these athletes should be feeling a little heartbroken.
Personally I have spent four years bettering myself and training to be the best possible swimmer and version of myself I can. This would have been my last NCAAs, so it is slightly heartbreaking for me.
All athletes from every sport have put in so many… Read more »
I do agree with your post upon further examination of human grieving response. You are years ahead of your age SENIOR SWIMMER by virtue of being able to see this will ultimately “benefit the greater good”. Certainly for you because of your empathy your struggles will be fleeting, unlike most people. Best wishes to you as you move forward in the celebration of life.
Really frustrating situation for swimmers, coaches, and fans/parents. Feeling lucky Texas got our TAG’s Meet in last weekend, but nonetheless feeling bad for those left hanging.
I hope a lot of these swimmers don’t see this as the end. If they don’t get another chance from the NCAA I hope they will fight for there own second chances and next year the ISL is going to blow up so I hope swimmers like Colmen Stewart and Maxine Rooney can find a place to compete.
What may be even worse is that some (if not all) schools are banning their coaches from coaching swimmers in prep for Olympic trials and/or closing their aquatic facilities, even to US Swimming clubs and senior post grads groups. This could adversely impact their trials training.
SEC announced no training, team or private until 4/15.
I know a certain school in Northern California-🐻-that is allowing the trials swimmers to train.
This sad situation will challenge all involved. Accept the things you cannot change. Change the things you can. Let’s hope the eventual outcome benefits those affected.