December 11, 2002
 
 
Dr. James Wright, President
Dartmouth College
Hinman Box 6001
Hanover, NH 03755
 
 
Dear Dr. Wright:
 
Recently I learned that the leadership of Dartmouth College had decided to cancel the swimming and diving programs.  I would like to share my concerns about this decision with you.
 
Athletic participation, along with the arts, is an important part of American society.  In many cases our athletes are held up as positive role models for others.  We treasure the accomplishments of our athletes at all levels.  Youth, high school, college, post-graduate, Olympic and professional athletes bring personal dedication to setting and achieving their goals.  Almost without exception successful competitors tell us that their sports experience changed and strengthened their lives.  It is important that our college level athletes have the opportunity to participate.
 
I can personally attest to the importance that swimming has had on our family.  Both of my children are grown.  My daughter swam through her high school years.  She is currently enrolled at Georgetown Law School.  One of the comments on her entrance essay was how sports, and swimming in particular, helped her learn the value of time management and goal setting.  My son swam and lettered 4 years at the University of Washington.  He now works for a U. S. Representative in Washington, DC.  He will tell you that the discipline and dedication that he learned from swimming clearly resulted in several quarters on the University of Washington honor roll.
 
There is no question that these are some of the toughest financial times in recent history.  Nearly every part our society – business, government, charitable institutions – are facing financial challenges.  The successful ones are those that creatively seek out solutions rather than “buckling under”.  I would urge you and your fellow leaders at Dartmouth to reach out to the students, the alumni and others in your community to seek a way to maintain and even grow the swimming and diving programs.  There is tremendous power and opportunity when everyone teams up to reach a positive goal.
 
 
 
USA Swimming, the National Governing Body for swimming in the USOC family, is absolutely dedicated to ensuring the continued success of college swimming.  Please feel free to call on Mr. Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming Executive Director, or me, if we can help in anyway.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Ron Van Pool
President, USA Swimming
 
Cc:  Marty Mankamyer – President, USOC
       Lloyd Ward – CEO, USOC
       Chuck Wielgus – Executive Director, USA Swimming