2008 Woodie Awards
Swimmers not buying reasons for team's demise
Former team members allege inconsistencies and broken promises as sport fights to survive with club status
By: Nikole Brown
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Sports
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Several former swim team members continue to question the motives behind the Athletic Department's decision to eliminate the swimming program, arguing that the athletic director broke a commitment to the athletes to give the program more time to develop.
Head Swimming Coach Tim Lombardo resigned at the end of the 2006-07 season. Lombardo was the fourth coach to resign in the last five years, following the resignation of Kevin Mabie in March 2006. At a meeting with the swim team, Athletic Director Tom Hart announced that the Athletic Department had decided to cut the swimming program.
Lara Holzem, former swim team member and junior advertising and marketing major, said Hart's announcement came as a surprise. She said it contradicted earlier comments Hart made.
"After Kevin Mabie resigned my freshman year, we thought the program would be cut, but Tom Hart said he would give us until 2010 to build the program," Holzem said. "But when I had a meeting with Hart before school started (this year) he acted like he didn't say that."
Hart said he never made that promise. Lombardo said he did not remember this agreement, but that it could have been made to the athletes because discussions were happening before he was hired.
Hart said he has no intention of considering the program's reinstatement any time soon.
"I feel that the swim program was given 10 years to succeed and never came close," Hart said. "I was fair. Successful programs here - soccer, golf - they immediately make (roster) minimums. It's just inherent to the sport at college level."
Emily Pfund, a junior education major and former swim team member, said she was also surprised by Hart's announcement.
"There was no discussion with us about cutting the program," Pfund said. "Hart had already decided before we had the meeting. He definitely said he would give us a bigger time frame. A program needs support, and if it doesn't have support, it's not going to go anywhere."
Head Swimming Coach Tim Lombardo resigned at the end of the 2006-07 season. Lombardo was the fourth coach to resign in the last five years, following the resignation of Kevin Mabie in March 2006. At a meeting with the swim team, Athletic Director Tom Hart announced that the Athletic Department had decided to cut the swimming program.
Lara Holzem, former swim team member and junior advertising and marketing major, said Hart's announcement came as a surprise. She said it contradicted earlier comments Hart made.
"After Kevin Mabie resigned my freshman year, we thought the program would be cut, but Tom Hart said he would give us until 2010 to build the program," Holzem said. "But when I had a meeting with Hart before school started (this year) he acted like he didn't say that."
Hart said he never made that promise. Lombardo said he did not remember this agreement, but that it could have been made to the athletes because discussions were happening before he was hired.
Hart said he has no intention of considering the program's reinstatement any time soon.
"I feel that the swim program was given 10 years to succeed and never came close," Hart said. "I was fair. Successful programs here - soccer, golf - they immediately make (roster) minimums. It's just inherent to the sport at college level."
Emily Pfund, a junior education major and former swim team member, said she was also surprised by Hart's announcement.
"There was no discussion with us about cutting the program," Pfund said. "Hart had already decided before we had the meeting. He definitely said he would give us a bigger time frame. A program needs support, and if it doesn't have support, it's not going to go anywhere."
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