News Summary

Cal Poly has announced the immediate elimination of its men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs, causing distress among athletes and the community. This decision stems from financial challenges related to the House v. NCAA settlement, impacting committed athletes and putting future prospects in jeopardy. A GoFundMe campaign has launched to potentially save the program, highlighting the emotional resonance of this decision among alumni and supporters. While current scholarships will be honored, the school plans to continue sponsoring 20 other sports in the future.

Cal Poly Delivers Shocking News: Swimming and Diving Programs Cut!

San Luis Obispo, CA – In a stunning announcement, Cal Poly has decided to immediately eliminate its men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs, sending waves of shock and heartache throughout the community. This decision was made public on March 7, and it has left many athletes, especially high school swimmers who had set their sights on this esteemed university, reeling.

Impact on Committed Athletes

Among the students who are feeling the weight of this decision are Chloe Quarles and Kale Lozano. Chloe, who had turned down offers from five other colleges to join Cal Poly, is now grappling with the loss of her dreams. Kale, who had reached out specifically to the swim program with hopes of being recruited, is also left uncertain about his athletic future.

A Season to Remember

What makes this news even harder to swallow is that the Cal Poly swim program had just enjoyed a historic season. The men’s team went undefeated in dual meets, and Coach Kim Carlson had been honored with the title of Big West Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year. This was a team on the rise, full of promise and potential.

A Hard-Hitting Meeting

The sadness set in following a meeting led by Athletic Director Don Oberhelman, where he delivered the heart-wrenching news to the swim and dive teams. The atmosphere was thick with disbelief, and many athletes were left in a state of shock and grief. Quarles, one of the affected swimmers, described her initial reaction as one of silence, which quickly transitioned into tears. It seemed unimaginable, especially after previous assurances that the team was secure.

Financial Struggles at the Core

The heartbreaking decision to cut the swimming and diving programs is attributed to financial challenges that have arisen from the House v. NCAA settlement. Cal Poly is bracing itself for significant financial implications, including a projected loss of at least $450,000 per year for its athletic department. President Jeffrey Armstrong has stated that these cuts were unavoidable due to imminent revenue-sharing adjustments with student-athletes concerning their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.

Assurances and Future Plans

While the swim program is the only one facing elimination at this time, Armstrong has promised that no other sports are currently at risk. Current athletes will have their scholarships honored as long as they stay at Cal Poly, or they can choose to enter the transfer portal if they wish. However, the coaches will have their contracts end in April, as they will not be renewed.

Fighting Back: Fundraising Efforts

The response from the community has been heartfelt, with a GoFundMe campaign springing into action, aiming for a goal of $200,000 to potentially save the program. Additionally, a petition is circulating that has gathered nearly 20,000 signatures, showing just how deeply this issue resonates with alumni and supporters. However, it remains unclear how effective these efforts will be or if they can truly sway the decision-makers.

Heartbroken Athletes

The impact of this decision is profound, leaving student-athletes feeling heartbroken as their dreams and years of hard work seem to be disregarded. Many had devoted their time and energy to building competitive skills in the pool, only to face an unexpected end to their aspirations.

Cal Poly’s Future in Athletics

Despite this setback, Cal Poly plans to continue sponsoring 20 sports moving forward as a member of the Big West Conference. However, the loss of the swimming and diving teams, which had a rich history of success and notable alumni, including Olympians, raises questions about the university’s direction and how it will navigate these challenging waters in the future.

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