CSCAA Committee to Speak on Capitol Hill About Future of College Swimming
With the rise of the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rule in the NCAA and the consolidation of the major collegiate conferences, college swimming could be at a crossroads. With the NIL endorsements and money paid to athletes by the colleges, the scales could tip even more to football and basketball, leaving many of the Olympic sports scrambling at the college level.
It also could be a great opportunity to showcase college sports like swimming.
The college sport will see Olympians like Alex Walsh, Gretchen Walsh, Phoebe Bacon, Torri Huske, Jack Alexy and Keaton Jones return to their teams. And that is just from the U.S. The NCAA swimming scene has been full of international stars through the years, including many of the star divers.
The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) is looking to guide the sport in the right direction during all of the challenges being thrown toward Olympic sports at the college level. This week, a trio of CSCAA representatives will speak on Capitol Hill in Washington to encourage Congress to protect Olympic sports on college campuses for the good of the sports, and the Olympic movement.
Executive Director Samantha Barany will speak, along with Louisville coach Arthur Albiero and Cincinnati coach Mandy Commons-DiSalle, on behalf of the CSCAA. It could be the start of an important movement within college swimming.
Swimming World has spoken with Barany and will have a follow-up article on what transpires in D.C. over the next few days that will highlight how the appearance in front of Congress will affect Olympic sports at the college level.