The Foundation requested a meeting with athletic director, Scott Woodward, and a small group met with Woodward and O.D. Vincent yesterday morning.  Representing our interests were Rick Colella, Ron Van Pool, Kelly Sterling, Ralph Teller and Jeff Lowell.  It was a productive meeting which will definitely define our objectives as we begin to move forward. 

The group’s goal at the meeting was to get a better understanding of the decision, what (if anything) could be done to save the program immediately, and to share our long-term vision.  The decision remains a budgetary cut, but there will not be an opportunity to resume the program this year, with or without significant donations from the public.  However, the athletic department is very receptive of the Foundation’s long-term goal of construction of a new facility, program endowment, and reinstatement in the future.  It was mentioned specifically that Diving will have to be a part of the program, which we certainly envision with a new facility.

So, our short and long-term objectives can become much more clear now.  As mentioned in an earlier post, we will have a summary of our Board meeting from last week up shortly which will help set forth our agenda and plan of action as we move forward with the process of raising capital, building a new facility, and getting our program up and running again.  Please see this as a call to action!  The Foundation will be asking for your support, with both volunteer hours and monetary assistance.  The community needs a new aquatics facility, the Univeristy needs a swimming and diving program, and we will need your help to get it done.

On a related, but equally important note.  Husky Pool is in jeopardy of closure unless we can obtain renter and tenant commitments to use the pool.  The pool will be closed after the summer quarter if they cannot find enough tenants to pay for the cost of keeping it open.  We need to help get the word out to teams that may be interested in using the pool–High School Teams, USA Swimming Teams, Water Polo Teams–this is your official call to duty!  If the athletic department cannot find viable renters/tenants within the next 30 days, the decision to close the pool in August will be made.  If you are an interested party, please contact O.D. Vincent immediately (his phone number can be found HERE).