By Kali Colden
The Board of Trustees at Daytona State College officially announced that it is dropping the swim program following spring semester. This decision was issued due to budgetary constraints, state cuts and reduced enrollment at the College.
“Some of the swimmers are totally devastated. We had mapped out plans TOGETHER with their families which would provide them the best opportunity for success both here in Daytona and beyond,” swim team coach Don Gibb said.
Both the men’s and women’s swim teams are affected and the decision is very hard for not only the swimmers, but also Coach Gibb. The College, meanwhile, has moved forward to dismantle the program, even posting a classified ad in the local paper advertising diving boards for sale.
“I’m disappointed on many levels both personally and professionally. My family has been uprooted for the sake of two years. It’s not fair to them to force them to start over again. I thought this opportunity was going to be my last job and one that I was totally and completely invested in. Otherwise, I would not have considered moving for only two years,” Gibb’s said via email.
In another email interview, swimming captain Stephen Parsons said the elimination of the team won’t effect him since he is graduating this semester. Although he is sympathetic to the plight of other teammates, the show must go on, he said. He is optimistic about their competitive edge when they compete later this month.
“As a captain, it’s my job and honor to lead them in a direction that’s looking forward and not dwelling on the emotions or heartbreak. It’s about the moment when we walk on the pool deck in Buffalo for Nationals. We’ll do things no one expected of us. It’s about getting our hand on the wall first and saying this is it. One last time.” The College has had a rough time with swimming in the past few years with the transition from former coach Steve Lochte to the current coach.
“The Athletics Department Team was incredible in their guidance and support during my transition. We had some angry and confused young people as well as their families. Many had strong feelings for the former coaching staff,” Gibb said.
Gibb took on the tough challenge of changing the culture of the program and redirecting the team’s focus from something negative into a positive and has done a great job doing so, his supporters and team members said.
“Our program’s ranked second nationally the last two seasons and is now a program that has won 38 straight men’s championships and 34 women’s. Not bad for a basically new program,” Gibb wrote.
The College said the indoor swimming facility will continue to be used for community program, as well as for swim lessons, water aerobics, water rescue and beach patrol training. It will also support the Father Lopez High School’s swim team.
“The decision to eliminate swimming will not only eliminate athletic opportunities for hundreds of local and state residents, but at the same time will deprive them of the tremendous value that Daytona State College provides,” Gibb said.
The final home meet took place at the Lemerand Center on Feb. 2. DSC’s men defeated Florida Atlantic 173-88, while the Falcons’ women’s team with just nine swimmers came up short 148.5-92.5. DSC still has one more competition left, at the community college national championships, March 6-9 in Buffalo, N.Y.
“We will create many memories not only during the competition, but during the 40-hour roundtrip bus ride. Young folks are resilient and in a few years we will all chuckle at this whole scenario,” said Gibb.
The swim team members will now hold onto their friendships and embark on a new chapter in their lives. Parsons is proud of the way his team has handled the bad news.
“When the news broke out, the team was all over the place with emotions: sadness, heartbreak, anger, confusion. It took us all by surprise thinking there’s no way a decorated program like ours would get the boot. It can happen to anyone even the best,” he said. “As a whole, we met and decided to use it as a fuel not as a dowser. We spent little time with our heads down, instead we put our frustration in the pool pushing our own expectations of what was attainable.”
In closing, Gibb said, “I’d like to say thank you to Will Dunne, our athletics director, for his friendship and support. Thank you to the administrative staff and coaches within the athletics department.
“Thank you Aquatics and Fitness Center Staff. Thank you members of the Daytona State community who are committed to the success of each and every member of our student body. Last but not least to my assistant, Caitlin, for her “never say die” attitude and to the dozens of student athletes who are my inspiration every, single day to give it my all.”