Posted by Carlsbad Devil on May 13, 08 at 15:48:46:
There is tremendous pressure for ASU's athletic program to be self-sustaining. Right now that isn't possible. You can blame Title IX all you want (and I am no fan of this legislature) but the fact of the matter is that ASU finds itself incredibly challenged by its financial environment. The demographic of ASU is not conducive to a continuous flow of donations. As the largest university in the country its endowment is not even in the top 100. The money just isn't there from the alumni; yes, there is the occasional large donation but the typical ASU graduate isn't giving back to the university in the same manner as the typical Stanford or USC or UCLA or Berkeley grad. Think about it - this is the largest university in the country and it can't afford $1,000,000 to fund three sports. Secondly, there is a tremendous amount of competition for the sports dollar in the Phoenix market. Why someone would choose to follow professional sports over college sports is beyond me, but that is the reality in Phoenix. Given incomes in the Phoenix area you can't expect these people to support multiple teams like they might in other cities.
If you buy into the need to cut sports, and recognize that Ititle IX isn't going away, which ones would you cut? Contrary to popular opinion, the wrestling program is not doing well. Look at the results of the meets this year - ASU lost to schools that many years ago it wouldn't have scheduled. There have been challenges with recruiting good athletes in this sport to ASU - there are two incredible prep wrestling programs that are close to ASU (Tucson Sunnyside and Poway [near San Diego]). ASU hasn't actually captured the best of these "local" kids. Wrestling is becoming a niche sport at the college level and it won't be long before it is no longer sanctioned at the D-1 level. Mens tennis and mens swimming are incredible underachievers, especially when one considers the weather and facilities from which ASU benefits. This year, one of UA's assistant swim coaches said about the swim rivalry, "It's simple - we're good and they aren't". Keeping diving doesn't surprise me - the coach is excellent and he seems to have a pipeline into some great talent. But look for men's diving to be the next sport to get the axe, especially if the coach leaves.
This is a dark day for ASU - we'll take some much-deserved crap (especially from down south) for this decision. But by attacking the decision you are treating the symptom and not the disease. Hopefully there is an angel out there who can save these sports, and while we're at it bring back men's gymnastics, badminton, and archery.