CSCAA Joins ICAC Efforts Urging Congress to Protect Olympic Sports on College Campuses
August 23, 2024 -The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has joined forces with fellow Collegiate Coach Associations to urge Congress to take immediate action to protect Olympic sports on college campuses. With mounting concerns over the future of these sports due to financial pressures and shifting priorities within collegiate athletics, the CSCAA and its partners are advocating for policies that will safeguard the development of future Olympians and ensure the continued success of Team USA on the global stage. Representatives from each respective association will meet with Members of Congress in September as part of their joint efforts to safeguard Olympic sports intercollegiately.
"This joint effort is crucial for the future of Olympic sports in America," said Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA. "We are deeply grateful to the other sports organizations that have aligned with us in this mission, as well as to USA Swimming and our dedicated sponsors who have continually supported our efforts to ensure the sustainability of swimming and diving. This is an endeavor we should all be united in, as it impacts not just the athletes and programs we represent, but the entire legacy of American excellence in Olympic competition."
This collective effort, in collaboration with the Intercollegiate Coach Association Coalition (ICAC), underscores the critical role that collegiate sports play in preparing athletes for Olympic competition. As highlighted in a recent joint statement, the absence of Congressional intervention could jeopardize the United States’ dominance in the Olympic arena, putting the achievements of Team USA at significant risk. The CSCAA is committed to preserving these opportunities for student-athletes and ensuring that Olympic sports remain a vibrant and integral part of college athletics.