{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Cal Baptist Cuts Men\u2019s Swim & Dive Team: A Costly Consequence of Division I Ambitions","description":"From NAIA Champions to Elimination: The Rise and Fall of CBU Men\u2019s Swimming Coach Steve Friederang Speaks Out on Lost Opportunities for Male Swimmers at CBU The Cal Baptist men\u2019s swim team has been cut, sparking debate over Division\u202fI moves, Title\u202fIX, and the future of smaller collegiate sports. Hear coach Steve break down what went wrong and why it matters. In this episode you\u2019ll learn: The history of Cal Baptist\u2019s swim program from NAIA champs to Division\u202fI. How facility decisions and budgeting errors contributed to the cut. The impact of Title\u202fIX and NCAA rules on men\u2019s non\u2011revenue sports. Coach Friederang\u2019s perspective on recruiting, performance analytics, and athlete development. Community reactions and ideas for preserving swimming opportunities (club teams, alumni support, etc.). Hey Heavy Or Not Community, We hit \u201cpublish\u201d on an episode with newsworthy significance that covers the shocking cut of Cal Baptist University\u2019s men\u2019s swim & dive program. Hear from longtime CBU coaching helper, Steve Friederang, the episode unpacks the history, the politics, and the human stories behind a decision that\u2019s shaking the college\u2011swim world. A Quick History Lesson From NAIA champions to Division\u202fII glory and the bold leap to Division\u202fI\u2014discover how CBU\u2019s rapid ascent set the stage for today\u2019s dilemma. Why the Axe Fell on the Men\u2019s Team Steve explains the \u201cbudget\u2011vs\u2011Title\u202fIX\u201d crunch, the ripple effect of big\u2011sport revenue, and why the women\u2019s program survived while the men\u2019s didn\u2019t. The Hidden Cost of Going Division\u202fI Learn how NCAA rules forced CBU to treat all sports as Division\u202fI, inflating compliance costs and squeezing smaller programs. What You Can Do About It From sharing your own stories on our site to joining upcoming webinars, see concrete ways you can amplify the voice of \u201ccut\u201d programs and help protect future teams. The Future of Swimming at CBU (and Beyond) Hear about the club\u2011team proposal, alumni\u2011run training groups, and why some coaches argue the university should re\u2011evaluate its Division\u202fI status altogether. We hate to report on this type of story again. It is more than just a single sports team. Here is another sad snapshot of how athletics, finances, and policy intersect in today\u2019s collegiate world. Enough is enough. Whether you\u2019re a swimmer, a coach, a parent, or just a curious fan, there\u2019s something in here for you. And, we\u2019re putting out a call to action with some webinars where you can share your comments. Call to Action Watch the episode now: Join the conversation: Head over to HON.LAP.red, drop your name, email, and a comment. We\u2019ll add you to our mailing list and keep you in the loop for the next webinars. Share your story: Got a personal experience with a program cut or a club team thriving? Submit it on the form\u2014your voice could be featured in a future episode! Spread the word: Forward this email to teammates, coaches, or anyone who cares about keeping swimming (and all sports) alive on campus. Thanks for being part of the Heavy Or Not community. Your curiosity and passion keep the dialogue flowing. Stay safe and buoyant, Mark Rauterkus Editor, Heavy Or Not, The OG Swim Guide podcast HON.LAP.red and this Substack! ","author_name":"Heavy Or Not - The O.G. Swim Guide","author_url":"https:\/\/HON.LAP.red","html":"