The “Go For 5” Story
On January 25, 2010, Duquesne University announced the elimination of men’s swimming, along with baseball, wrestling and golf. The University cited Title IX (gender equity), as well as a desire to allocate additional funds to its core sports (basketball and football), as the reasons behind its decision. The unexpected announcement devastated both the men’s and women’s swim teams.
Unified by the cause to reinstate men’s swimming at Duquesne, and a desire to stop the growing deterioration of a long standing collegiate sport, present swimmers, parents and alumni joined forces to formulate the Go for 5! program. Go for 5! has been Endorsed by the USA Swimming, College Sports Council, the College Swimming Coaches Association and Olympic Gold medalist, Josh Davis. Go for 5! is designed to show the amazing impact as little as $5.00 can have on the sustainability of collegiate swimming.
Over the last 5 years, 46 Division I men’s teams have been cut for funding and alleged unsupported Title IX reasons. Once comprising over 65% of the Division I teams, men’s teams now only comprise 40% of member associations. Divisions II and III have also experienced cuts. If the loss of collegiate swim programs (mostly Division I) continues, present and future high school swimmers will have limited chances to pursue their sport beyond high school. Only the most elite swimmers will have a chance to live the collegiate student athlete experience, which will eventually lead to extinction of the sport.
The growing trend is devastating to the male student athletes who represent the sport and have established high academic standards at their respective schools. Universities seemingly undervalue the role swimmers play in the fabric of their campuses, as well as the impact swimmers have on how the University is perceived nationally.
Although Duquesne University was unwilling to be a leader amongst its peers, the present swimmers, parents and alumni have stepped up as leaders in its place. Here are just a few comments from those involved in the Go for 5! effort:
"The Go for 5! program is not just about saving men's swimming at Duquesne University, it's about raising awareness regarding the valuable men's and women's athletic programs being cut nationally at a alarming rate due to unjustified fiscal and Title IX reasons!" states Nic Vitina, Director of the Duquesne Swimming Alumni Association. "We feel the international network of swimmers, and those who simply value athletics, will help support this initiative and our efforts to preserve sports such as swimming for the generations following us."
Join us in our quest to save collegiate swimming by donating $5.00 or more to the cause and spreading the word. Help Go for 5! achieve its goal of reaching 1 million people!
All donations are tax deductible.