Georgia Southern University has announced it will cut men’s swimming & diving plus men’s cross-country next year. The excuse is “Title IX” and the addition of women’s indoor and outdoor track (using a local HS track). But parents, students, and even faculty are protesting both the decision and the method used to reach the decision. A selection committee entirely from within the Athletic Department met, excluded students, excluded other faculty, and even excluded their own swimming staff.
Research by swimmers’ parents shows that GSU will actually net a LOSS in revenue from this action. But somehow, some of the funds are to slid under the table to football. It looks like a smoke screen to the parents. About $2.00 per student per semester in athletic fees increase would fund swimming & diving, but the Student Government Association wasn’t even asked to consider that option. And the Southern BOOSTERS, which contributes over $1 million annually, was never approached about helping out.