Find a solution

William & Mary’s recent decision to drop swimming (and five other teams) without any university community discussion is disappointing. After establishing “winning” as a primary requirement for Tribe Athletics, this decision to eliminate teams that are both successful and cost-effective seems counterintuitive. In “Reverse athletics cuts at William and Mary” (Sept.19), D.R. Hildebrand explained how the swim teams’ ability to overcome adversity embodies Tribe Pride.

Which other Tribe sport consistently features attendance greater than venue capacity and can boast sound levels only exceeded by the Seattle Seahawks? During the first 2020 home swim meet, overflow attendance was evident even though W&M was on winter break. The swim facility is owned and operated by Campus Recreation, there is no athletic department capital investment. What it lacks from a facility standpoint is compensated by the Tribe Pride displayed there.

W&Mis often mentioned as the leading “public ivy.” Its student-athletes are second to none for academics, leadership and community service. Tribe swimmers have raised $500,000 to date for cancer research.

Last season, Colin Wright (Jamestown High School) became the winningest swimmer in W&Mand Colonial Athletic Association history. Another local swimmer was both a1693 Scholar and president of the freshman class. Twenty swimmers were Provost Award winners. One swimmer was a Ph.D. student. See savetribeswimming.com for more info.

The swim teams self fund two-thirds of their expenses through team endowments and their annual giving campaign. W&M’s share of annual costs is only about $175,000. By promoting discussion, a more creative solution can be developed to save Tribe Swimming.

Ted Maslin, Williamsburg