The Callout: March 26, 2012

The Calllout is a weekly editorial piece that highlights the “Good Calls” and the “Bad Calls” in swimming from the week prior.

Bad Call

This week’s Bad Call goes to Seattle University, host of the 2012 Men’s NCAA Swimming Championships, for not getting enough asses in seats.  To see a high-caliber meet such as this not sold out is pretty shameful.  The CIS (Canadian) university championships were able to draw a larger crowd in the middle of the Winter Olympics!  The Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center has a capacity of only 2500.  I understand that this venue is not on campus and that there weren’t many Seattle University Redhawks in the meet, but as a meet host it is still your responsibility to promote the event well enough to fill the stands.  If you have to, drop ticket prices and give some of the kids from the King Aquatic Club the opportunity to see the meet.  How often will Seattle University get the opportunity to host an NCAA National Championship?  Good Call, Seattle University for stepping up and hosting the meet, Bad Call for not drawing a crowd.

Good Call

The Good Call this week goes to former Olympians such as Aaron Peirsol, Roque Santos and others who came out as alumni to support their teams at Men’s NCAAs.  Public support from such former swimmers helps to bring attention to college swimming and keep it alive.  In a time when many men’s swimming programs are being cut across the US, college swimming can use all the support it can get.  Good Call guys, for making the trip to Federal Way to support the teams that once supported you as young swimmers.