The Wright State Swimming and Diving team has been saved, according to a release from the University.
Athletics Director Bob Grant said, “We are happy to have the swimming and diving teams back for the 2017-18 season, and appreciate the efforts of the group and the dedicated alumni to make this happen.”
In May it was announced that the Division 1 program was the latest program to hit the chopping block. The news came on the heels of similar announcements at the University of Buffalo and the University of North Dakota.
At the time Grant said, “We have spent the past few months working with the University leadership to find ways to help with the financial crisis on campus. Unfortunately, in these difficult times, we need to do what is in the long-term, best interests of the University.”
The College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) stepped in and under a month later had a fundraising plan in place to save the program.
Donations poured in quickly with the team just $30,000 shy of the goal last week. It was still unclear if the necessary $85,000 would be raised by tomorrow’s deadline. This evening the Dayton Daily News reported that the program has been saved.
The online donation page appears to have been taken down.
Read the full release from the University:
The Wright State University swimming and diving teams will compete during the 2017-18 season as the fundraising efforts by former swimmers and friends of the program proved to be successful. The group raised the necessary funds for a limited schedule during the coming year, including the Horizon League Swimming and Diving Championships in late February.
“We are happy to have the swimming and diving teams back for the 2017-18 season, and appreciate the efforts of the group and the dedicated alumni to make this happen,” WSU Director of Athletics Bob Grant said.
The University announced in May the elimination of the programs as a part of the budget remediation process. The Board of Trustees voted on June 8 to allow interim President Curtis McCray and Grant to explore ways of allowing the swimming and diving teams to compete for one more season. From that, a group of former swimmers and supporters set out to raise the required $85,000. The school and the swimming and diving supporters will continue conversations about how to fund the program beyond the upcoming season.
A schedule for the 2017-18 season will be released soon.