Michigan State Campaign Refutes Reports School is ‘Moving Forward’ Without Swim Program
The Battle to Save Michigan State Swim and Dive on Thursday refuted reports that the university is ready to move forward without reinstating the program.
A university spokesman on Thursday told the Detroit News that it is “moving forward” with plans to build a pool on campus strictly for recreational purposes and not for intercollegiate competition. It alleges that the program has fallen short of the fundraising goal of $26.5 million, the deadline for which was Oct. 1. It has apparently raised barely more than $5 million.
In an emailed statement, Battle for Spartan Swim and Dive said it had not been informed of that decision by university president Teresa Woodruff. They also cite the fundraising goal as $6.5 million from Woodruff last December, with an additional $20 million added by Woodruff in June despite reported progress in dialogue between the parties. (The only dollar figure cited in any previous reporting was BSSD saying it had secured pledges totaling $10.85 million.)
BSSD also contends that the university has been less than helpful in trying to secure funds, “Without any renderings, marketing or naming opportunities, as well as being told not to reach out to certain high-level donors.”
Not directly related to the case, but perhaps impacting it, are two other pieces of possibly pertinent news: On Thursday, big money donor Mat Ishbia said he would spend $100 million on one of his other athletic investments, for a practice facility and employee campus for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. (He gave the university $32 million for explicitly non-swimming projects in 2021.) Michigan State is also embroiled in the Mel Tucker sex abuse scandal, with his firing and subsequent lawsuit. Hiring of sex abuse scandals doomed the administrative regime that cut swimming in 2020.
From the statement:
“Battle for Spartan Swim and Dive has worked professionally, collaboratively, and tirelessly for nearly three years to engage with MSU leadership and correct a decision that everyone we speak to acknowledges was a mistake. Yet once again, rather than continue the productive conversations that were ongoing, and further supporting our fundraising efforts by providing full access to the Spartan Fund and other donors, a temporary leader with a 10-month tenure decided to try and end a 99-year-old Spartan program.”
Additional Michigan State Reading
- Michigan State University to Cut Swimming & Diving After 2020-21 Season
- For Michigan St. Swimming & Diving Alumni, The Fight to Save the Program is Not Over
- Battle for Michigan St. Swimming and Diving Adds Allies for Board Meeting
- Judge Denies Injunction Request from Michigan State Women’s Swimming
- Michigan St. Swimming and Diving Supporters to Hold On-Campus Rally
- Michigan St., Discontinued at Varsity Level, Wins Club National Title
- Guest Commentary: ‘We’re Still Here’: How Michigan State’s ‘Unlucky 13’ Survived Program Cut
- Michigan St. Appeals to U.S. Supreme Court Over Title IX Lawsuit From Former Swimmers
- With School Facing Court Order, Michigan St. Group Calls For Reinstatement of Swim Programs
- Michigan St., Battling for Program Reinstatement, Secures Scheduling Agreements
- Michigan St. President Samuel Stanley, ‘Obstacle’ to Restoring Swim Team, Resigns
- U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Michigan State Title IX Appeal
- Michigan State Swimmers Settle Title IX Suit, Agree to Independent Review
- Michigan State Approves Construction of Recreation Facility with 50-Meter Pool
- Mike Bottom, CSCAA Director Samantha Barany to Speak on Behalf of Michigan State Swimming