The Clemson women’s diving program is no more, the school announced in a press release. According to Athletic Director Dan Radakovich, the school is eliminating that program to make way for the introduction of a softball team.
“Any time changes to sport offerings are made, it can be difficult for current student-athletes and coaches, as well as for our former letterwinners. I want to express our gratitude to Coach Leslie Hasselbach-Adams and the young women in our program for the way they’ve represented our university and competed with integrity and class,” Radakovich said in the release.
The decision comes five years after Clemson’s swim teams and its men’s diving team were ended after the 2012 season. At the time, the school decided to keep women’s diving, and that program has remained stable for five years.
While the decision to cut the swimming program came with two years’ notice, this one is effective immediately, as the team’s season has ended.
The decision to discontinue a sport is a difficult one, and was made with a great deal of thought and consideration. The decision impacts student-athletes, our coaches, families and alumni. Ultimately, the challenges of supporting a highly competitive diving program with our geographic disadvantage and the absence of a full swim program proved to be too great to overcome,” Radakovich said.
Radakovich also noted that current divers will be allowed to transfer and be eligible to compete immediately at another school, or they could remain at Clemson with their scholarships and student-athlete benefits in tact.
Read the full release from Clemson by clicking here.
Well, they already killed their swimming program. However, they did just build a $100 million leisure facility for football.
Brian Thiel Clemson no longer has any aquatics teams. Disappointing
I’m not disappointed at all ?
Women’s Rowing is kind of aquatic…
Mean…?
Wonder why the AD would say Clemson is at a disadvantage geographically? What’s locale got to do w/anything? And Dev Hays is right on. Clemson just won its first national title in football since the Danny Ford era 35-plays years ago so you know they’re rollin’ in dough. Just another case of an Olympic sport getting shafted.
Hmmm, South Carolina seems to be excelling in diving / swimming. (or the other SEC and ACC programs nearby)… They are only an hour or so away. They don’t seem to be geographically disadvantaged. I guess they couldn’t use the “we can’t compete without a 50 meter pool when it comes to diving.
With all that football money you would think they could afford to bring back swimming and keep diving. Such a shame.
http://www.al.com/articles/19127753/clemsons_football_facility_to.amp
That’s too bad
Just another reason to root for their demise!
Boo!!!
Sad!
Sad day
Another Sad Day
They have decided to replace it with softball
So sad.
Darn Kimberly Harris Ceyanes! I was thinking good fit for Chloe!
Wrong and sad.
I will never support Clemson in football or basketball since they sacrificed other sports to funnel more money into those programs. Those programs better be at the top of the standings every year AND remain there constantly given the fact it was at the expense of other athletes. Sad.
You have to go back to 2000 to find an NCAA D1 football national champion school that does not also offer a Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving program. Disgraceful!
Come on Clemson!
Oh no!!! Yes–she’s going to be disappointed Lisa Byerley Watters …. ughhh Clemson!
So sad!
Sad!!!
Liz Dwors
Its sad to see another school drop the swimming program
Question: which is a life sport needed for survival? Aquatics or Football?
Also, What conditioning sport do many of these athletes participate in during off season or when recovering from injury?
Is the football stadium gonna get bigger? Ugh Where is the NCAA
Always the swim programs:( ?