National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA News Archive - 2010

back to 2010 | Back to NCAA News Archive Index

May 5, 2010 8:46:59 AM

Clemson recently announced that it will eliminate men's swimming and diving and women's swimming by the end of the 2011-12 academic year.

Athletics Director Terry Don Phillips said while those teams will be phased out, the Tigers will continue to compete in women's diving and may add women's golf.

Phillips attributed the cuts to the school's decision not to build a 50-meter pool, thus limiting the swim team's ability to be competitive within the Atlantic Coast Conference and nationally.

"This was a difficult decision," Phillips said. "It comes as a result of a long review of Clemson's sport offerings in light of our mission to offer sports in which we have the best opportunities to be competitive.

"Clemson's all-sports program approach requires review of facilities, coaching and student-athlete recruitment opportunities for all sport offerings. Our job is to focus on areas where we have the necessary underpinnings to be successful."

Phillips lauded coach Chris Ip, the assistant coaches, and student-athletes for their academic achievement and community service.

Current sophomores will have the opportunity to complete their swimming careers at Clemson. All student-athletes who compete through the 2012 season will have the option of remaining at Clemson and receiving the same level of financial aid through four years if they meet NCAA progress-toward-degree requirements. Requests to transfer will be granted.

The school will study the addition of women's golf, keeping in mind the interests and talents of high school student-athletes in South Carolina, Title IX requirements and other factors. Phillips said the analysis is ongoing.