Has the Arizona State swimming and diving program just started a trend in college sports? We could find out soon.
The Sun Devils made the surprising announcement on Sunday that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are representing all of their male and female teams during the 2020-21 seasons, basically taking the year off to train and then trying again in 2021. -22 on what a healthier climate should be.
Arizona State coach Bob Bowman, who coached mega star Michael Phelps throughout his career and currently trains Olympic athletes Allison Schmitt and Hali Flickinger, told his team Sunday afternoon on a Zoom call. . He said the response was “very positive”.
“It’s been really tough for four months,” said Bowman. Illustrated Sports. “The hardest part is not being clear about anything. All of our swimmers lost their NCAAs (championships) last year. I’m not willing to let them lose two.”
Bowman said the aquatic facilities on his campus are closed, meaning his swimmers have been unable to train with him. Most are scattered throughout the country and the world, doing training where and how they can. As with other college sports, the season schedule is in limbo.
Swimming is a winter sport that basically reflects college basketball, which begins in the fall and ends with the NCAA Championships in March. Many programs begin to consider that there are no competitions until January, and then deal with travel restrictions that could reduce the number of significant events.
Bowman said his decision came out of the March meeting with his athletic director, Ray Anderson, who challenged all of his coaches to find ways to strengthen their programs after the pandemic than they were before.
“This was examined at all levels, through the Pac-12,” Bowman said. “Everyone who hears it at the beginning is like, ‘What?’ Then you look at it and it makes more sense.
“We have the money to cover it, to make it work. It provides an academic benefit, allowing everyone to focus on their studies and maybe get away with a master’s degree. They have flexibility to train at home while taking online classes if they want, then come back in the semester break. And it helps us compete, we are going to be better as a team in 2021-22. “
Bowman, who has been the coach of the US Men’s Olympic Team, has been rebuilding the Arizona State program since taking office in 2015. The Sun Devils finished 22nd in the 2018 men’s swimming championship and in 23rd place in the feminine.
When asked if he thought a trend could start in both his sport and all college sports, Bowman said, “I don’t know, my job is to coach the Sun Devils and everyone else can do whatever they want.” Ray says he thinks we will. “
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