Syracuse University Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross today announced that the University will offer current members of the swimming and diving team the opportunity to continue competing on the intercollegiate level through the exhaustion of their eligibility or the conclusion of the 2010-11 season. This phase-out of the program, which will include a reduced operating budget and competitive schedule, will give team members the opportunity to compete and finish their careers at SU.
"We have had some student-athletes who, although they recognize the program has been discontinued, have expressed an interest in finding a way to complete their career as student-athletes at SU," Gross said. "Though swimming and diving as an intercollegiate program has officially ended at SU, this phase-out will honor the commitment our student-athletes have made, allow them to complete their careers at Syracuse and give them the chance to continue to compete. "
This plan provides current swimming and diving student-athletes three options from which to choose: to continue to swim/dive at SU; to retain their SU scholarship but not remain on the team; or to transfer to another institution. Recruiting of student-athletes for the team has already ceased, and the phase-out of the program will begin with the 2008-09 season. This phase-out will end after the 2010-11 season. In June, 2007, the Athletics Department announced the discontinuation of the swimming and diving team after the 2007-08 season.