University Of Iowa Decision To Eliminate Swimming & Other Programs Draws Backlash
In August, The University Of Iowa abruptly announced it was cancelling four athletic programs at the end of this academic year. The University cited budget short falls in its decision due to the Big 10 cancelling fall sports, namely football. The four programs that will be cut out are Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Men’s Gymnastics and Men’s Tennis. Iowa announced the cancellation would be permanent regardless of whether revenue streams increased in the future. They also decided no amount of private funding would be enough to reinstate any of those programs. Those upset by that decision became even more angered when it was announced coaches in the football program would receive raises. As a result, there has been an outcry about the decision and how it was conducted. Hundreds of former and current athletes at Iowa voiced their displeasure in various ways. Vickie Nauman a former All-American Swimmer at Iowa wrote a letter to the Board Of Regents opposing the decision, that letter has now been signed by over 250 former Hawkeye athletes. At least one athletic dept. booster has voiced their issues with the program cuts. Mark Kaufman the CEO if Athletico is an Iowa Alumnus and has a daughter currently on the swim team. Kaufman said ” I’ve been a supporter of Iowa University for many years across a variety of athletic and academic programs. This decision impacts my daughter’s swim career and my relationship with my alma mater”. Kaufman says he and other parents are working together to oppose the decision and find a solution.