For my teammates and I, swimming and diving is our lives and means the world to us. There are no words to describe the countless hours of practice and hard work we put into the sport and the feeling of family that is our team. Many of us have been swimming since we were little, dedicating our lives to the sport.
We are teammates, but more than that, we are family. We eat together. We live together. We practice together. We have a common bond through swimming that is hard to describe to anyone else.
On Nov. 8, our coach called a meeting before practice- little did we know the upsetting news about to be delivered. We were told by University of Maryland Athletic Director Kevin Anderson that the President’s Commission would be recommending cutting the men’s and women’s swimming and diving team, as well as the water polo program. The room went silent. I think we were all in shock. I felt like everything I knew was crashing down in an instant. The news was devastating.
The commission was formed to examine the budget shortfalls and debt within the athletic department and soon after President Loh would receive the commission’s report and reach a decision. It has been indicated that up to 10 sports will also be recommended to be cut. At this point, the final decision about which teams will remain has not been reached.
The past week has been very tough, but I do not think any member of the University of Maryland community could be more proud of the way we have stuck together. It is truly inspiring. Just as inspiring is the amount of support we have received from other students, athletes, family, friends and other ACC schools and swim teams across the county.
When it comes down to it, this is so much more than just a sport for us. Despite this challenge, we are in the middle of our season and determined to not let up. We are stronger than ever and will fight to keep our teams. It means everything to us to have the support of our fellow Terps.
Please sign the petition to show your support in keeping the men and women’s swim teams at UMD:
http://www.change.org/petitions/university-of-maryland-president-loh-and…
Send your support for the swim team:
UMD Athletic Director Kevin Anderson
Phone: 301-314-0013
Email: kevina@umd.edu
University President Dr. Wallace D. Loh
Phone: 301-405-5803
Email: wdloh@umd.edu
Chancellor William E. Kirwan
Phone: 301-445-1901
bkirwan@usmd.edu
Chief of Staff to the Chancellor Janice Doyle
Phone: 301-445-1906
jdoyle@usmd.edu
Executive Assistant to the Chancellor Tina Madarang
Phone: 301-445-1905